high dependency unit


high dependency unit

An NHS care unit for patients who require more intensive observation, treatment and nursing care than can be provided on a ward. HDU care is less intense than that in an ITU/ICU—e.g., HDUs usually do not have patients needing mechanical ventilation, are not staffed 24/7 by doctors, and have a nurse:patient ratio higher than unity (1:1), but are staffed for invasive monitoring. HDUs may be a part of a ward or centralised, and co-located with an ITU/ICU.