Below is a list of the names of certain units, with a brief explanation of their special purpose.

ICU – Intensive Care Unit – A specialized department that cares for seriously ill patients.

Med/Surg – Medical/ Surgical Unit – Patients who are acutely ill, presenting a wide range of conditions stay on this unit.

OBS – Medical Observation Unit - Specializing in the care of short stay medical and procedural patients most of whom originate from the Emergency Room. Care is provided for a wide range of conditions that require brief monitoring.

MHU – Mental Health Unit - Inpatient services to treat adult psychiatric patients. The unit is hospital-based, and crisis-intervention oriented.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

In the fast-paced, specialized medical community, it’s common to use abbreviations to describe anything from a specialist’s credentials, to a type of procedure. While it may make things run smoothly for the professionals, it can be confusing to visitors to the hospital who may not be familiar with the medical terminology. Below is a list of common abbreviations used throughout the hospital, and what they mean.

ARNP – Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

PRN – pro re nata, whenever necessary, as needed

BSN – Bachelor of Science, Nursing

RN – Registered Nurse

LPN – Licensed Practical Nurse

LCSW-C – Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Certified

LMSW – Licensed Master Social Work

MSW – Master of Social Work

PharmD – Doctor of Pharmacy

RD – Registered Dietician

OC – Occupational Therapy

PT – Physical Therapy

RT – Respiratory Therapy

OR – Operating Room

CT scan – (also CAT scan) Computed Tomography – scan of the body or body part that provides a sectional view.

MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging – imaging that uses magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of the head and body – in particular, brain, neck spinal cord and soft tissue.

NPO – nil peros, nothing by mouth (in reference to feeding)