Intensive Care Unit

When patients are critically ill, they need a quiet, restful environment paired with state-of-the-art healthcare technology to aid in their treatment and healing. Spencer Hospital's Intensive Care Unit features six spacious private rooms for critically ill patients along with five additional private rooms, known as the Progressive Care Unit.  The Progressive Care Unit (PCU) is designed for patients who require less invasive monitoring.

A wide variety of critical patients receive care in ICU/PCU.  This may include post-surgical patients, patients with coronary and respiratory conditions, and many other medical conditions. 

Where to Find ICU & Progressive Care

Our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is located on the second floor of Spencer Hospital and is most easily accessible by using elevator B which is located on first floor just down the corridor from the Patient Registration area. 

Your staff is exceptional!  In ICU they were so knowledgeable, kind and understanding!

—Satisfied Patient

Patient Rooms & Amenities

Each private patient room is designed to provide close monitoring for optimal patient care and comfort.

Features in our ICU suites include:

• Large spacious rooms to accommodate critical patients
• Private bathrooms
• Flat screen televisions
• Room service meals provided by our Nutrition Services team
• Nutrition station with snacks available
• Complimentary wireless access to keep you or your visitors connected
• Our volunteer Chaplaincy program is available for anyone seeking spiritual care 

Our PCU (Progressive Care Unit) suites include: 

• Private bathrooms and private showers
• Flat screen televisions
• Room service meals provided by our Nutrition Services team
• Nutrition station with snacks available
• Complimentary wireless access to keep you or your visitors connected
• Our volunteer Chaplaincy program is available for anyone seeking spiritual care 

eICU

Two of the ICU rooms are wired for e-ICU, a service Spencer Hospital provides in collaboration with Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls which provides 24-hour access to board certified internal medicine specialists, who are trained in the management of critically ill patients.

Avera’s eICU intensivists complement the care provided by the patient’s local physician and bedside care team. The eICU physicians are credentialed and have hospital privileges which allow them to provide orders and care for patients as needed.

All of our patient rooms have connectivity ability for telehealth services, enabling our local healthcare team to consult with specialists at any location regarding your care.

Our ICU/Progressive Patient Care Team

Your inpatient care will be overseen by a physician and you will always have a registered nurse assigned to your care. Depending on your medical condition, you may have additional care providers and ancillary staff involved in helping your return to better health.

• Medical Staff:  You will have a physician overseeing your care, which may be your family physician, your surgeon or one of the hospitalists who provide medical care for inpatients at Spencer Hospital.
• Hospitalist: As an inpatient, you may receive care from a hospitalist – a physician who specializes in caring for hospitalized patient. Available seven days each week at Spencer Hospital from 7 AM-7 PM, the hospitalist is present to address health issues as they arise and to coordinate care with a patient’s family physician or specialist. The hospitalist team includes a nurse practitioner who is also available to provide patient care.
• Nurses who will monitor your health and administer medications and treatments under the direction of your physician.
• Leadership or Resource Nurses who work closely with your entire care team to assure your health needs and personal comfort is being met.
• Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) who can assist you with personal tasks such as bathing, visiting the restroom and other needs.
• Social workers who assist patients and families in accessing community resources, aid in discharge planning and care transitions, and can provide information on advanced directives
• Specialized Health Professionals including staff specifically trained in physical, occupational, speech or respiratory therapies, or would care treatment and infectious diseases.
• Dietitians who assist with nutritional needs and, if needed, special diet planning.
• Nutrition Services: Using our Dining Room Service, you will be able to select meals to be ordered and delivered by our Nutrition Services team.
• Lab or Diagnostic Imaging Techs: If lab tests or diagnostic imaging (x-rays, MRIs, CT, etc.) are ordered, you will be visited by a lab tech to secure a sample of your blood, and/or by a DI tech who will conduct the imaging test required for your care.
• Pharmacists who oversee your medication needs while hospitalized.
• Environmental: Your room and bathroom will be routinely cleaned by our environmental services team.

If at any time during your stay you have questions or concerns, please ask to visit with a nurse leader. For optimal healing, we believe you need to be as comfortable as possible and pleased with your care.  

Visiting Hours

Visits from family members and friends can provide a tremendous benefit to our hospital patients. Please respect the wishes of the patient regarding how much or how little visitation he or she would like. For the health and safety of our patients, please do not visit if you or a child is ill and have an infectious disease such as a cold or the flu. The front entrance is locked at 9 PM; afterwards, admission can be gained through the Emergency Department entrance on the northeast side of the hospital.

Please limit visitors to no more than two people at a time. Quiet time on the ICU & Progressive Care Unit is designated from 2 – 4 PM and midnight to 4 AM daily to promote a healing environment.