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A Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is a type of psychiatric in-patient ward. These wards are always locked (i.e. entry and exit is controlled by the nursing staff) and staffing levels are higher than on a normal acute admission ward.

PICUs are designed to take patients that cannot be managed on the open (unlocked) wards due to the level of risk the patient poses to themselves or to others. The patient's length of stay is normally short (a few weeks) rather than prolonged as the patient should be treated and returned to the unlocked ward as soon as their mental state is stable. Many PICUs have a seclusion room; some have two seclusion rooms. Contrary to popular public belief, straightjackets are not used on these wards, and patients should not be sent to a PICU as a punishment for their behaviour.

[edit] Environment

PICUs typically have the following envirnomental components: All exit/entry doors are locked; Windows have restriced opening widths; Visitors have their bags searched on entry, and dangerous (or "risk") items are removed.