
ATU stands for Acute Treatment Unit, a specialized healthcare facility for the evaluation and management of patients' medical needs. The ATU provides short-term psychiatric stabilization for people in crisis, offering a supportive, calm, and safe environment. It is staffed by nurses and a psychiatric prescriber and provides Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills groups, individual and family meetings, and medication evaluation and management. ATU can also refer to an Ambulatory Treatment Unit, which provides infusion therapy and other treatments for patients requiring outpatient procedures. Additionally, in the context of Parkview Health, ATU stands for Anticoagulation Therapy Unit clinics, which help manage patients' anticoagulant medications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Acute Treatment Unit |
| Type of Facility | A specialized healthcare facility for evaluation and management of patients' medical needs |
| Patient Criteria | Men and women 18 years of age or older who are in an emotional crisis or have psychiatric needs |
| Treatment | Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills groups, individual and family meetings, medication evaluation and management |
| Staff | Nurses, therapists, case managers, psychiatrists, and a psychiatric prescriber |
| Patient Exclusions | Individuals who are violent, intoxicated, withdrawing from substance use, immobile, or incontinent |
| Visiting Hours | In-person: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm; Zoom: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm |
| Insurance | Accepts most private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid |
| Location | Axis Regional Crisis Center, near Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango |
| Contact | (970) 247-5245 |
| Other Names | Ambulatory Treatment Unit, Anticoagulation Therapy Unit |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Acute Treatment Unit for psychiatric services
Acute Treatment Units (ATUs) are psychiatric facilities for adults experiencing a mental health or behavioural crisis. They provide short-term psychiatric stabilisation and an alternative to inpatient hospitalisation. ATUs are typically staffed by nurses and psychiatric prescribers and offer a range of services, including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills groups, individual and family meetings, and medication evaluation and management.
ATUs are designed to provide a safe, calm, and supportive environment for individuals who do not require extended hospital stays. They offer a higher level of care than Crisis Stabilisation Units, but the treatment is less intensive than inpatient hospitalisation. ATUs generally have a small number of beds, typically ranging from 15 to 16, and cater to adults aged 18 and above.
The admission process for an ATU involves an initial evaluation of an individual's crisis needs, which may be conducted by a Regional Crisis Team. This team determines the most suitable location for evaluation and treatment. Once admitted to an ATU, individuals work closely with the staff to create a personalised treatment plan, which may include various therapies and activities.
ATUs encourage family involvement, and with the patient's permission, family members can be consulted about recommended follow-up services. This involvement includes family meetings and the opportunity for family and friends to bring items to their loved ones during their stay. However, certain items, such as belts, clothing with strings, razors, and electronic devices, are restricted for safety reasons.
ATUs provide a vital service for individuals experiencing a psychiatric emergency, including those at risk of suicide or struggling with an inability to function due to their psychiatric condition. The clinical and nursing teams within ATUs employ evidence-based approaches, such as Illness Management and Recovery, to empower individuals with strategies for coping with mental illness and progressing toward recovery.
The Good Samaritan: A Hospital That Cares
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$75.78

Ambulatory Treatment Unit for infusion therapy
The Ambulatory Treatment Unit (ATU) at Holland Hospital provides infusion therapy, which delivers medication directly into the bloodstream for conditions like anemia, Crohn's, and MS. Infusion therapy is a comfortable and affordable alternative to a hospital setting, allowing patients to receive treatment without disruptions to their daily lives.
The ATU team at Holland Hospital is dedicated to providing the highest quality infusion therapy tailored to individual needs. They offer outpatient treatments such as bladder chemotherapy, antibiotic therapy, and biologic infusions. In addition, they provide vital services like blood transfusions, hydration therapy, and other treatments to help manage chronic conditions or recover from acute illnesses.
The Ambulatory Treatment Unit / Infusion Center at Denville Hospital is another example of an ATU providing infusion therapy. It is staffed by registered nurses who provide specialized care to meet the medical needs of children, adolescents, and adults. Services include blood and blood component transfusions, antibiotic infusion therapy, vaccinations/immunizations, injections, pharmaceutical infusions, and therapeutic phlebotomy.
The benefits of choosing an ambulatory infusion center for treatment include comfort, affordability, and convenience. These centers offer a calm and supportive environment, ensuring patients receive timely and efficient care without the need for overnight hospital stays. Ambulatory infusion centers are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for providers and patients seeking treatment for rare, chronic, and complex conditions.
Guliani's Health: What's the Latest Update?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$92.42 $108.43
$59.99

Anticoagulation Therapy Unit for blood testing
While searching for 'what does ATU stand for in the hospital', I came across the following:
- Acute Treatment Unit: This unit provides short-term psychiatric stabilization for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. It offers a supportive, calm, and safe environment, with 24/7 support from mental health providers.
- Ambulatory Treatment Unit: This unit provides specialized care for patients requiring outpatient treatments such as infusion therapy, bladder chemotherapy, and antibiotic therapy.
Now, for Anticoagulation Therapy and blood testing:
Anticoagulation Therapy Units (ATUs) play a crucial role in hospitals by providing expert management and monitoring of anticoagulant medications, often referred to as blood thinners. These units offer personalized care for patients requiring anticoagulant therapy to optimize their heart health and overall well-being.
ATUs typically offer extensive patient education, counseling, and provide resource materials related to anticoagulant therapy. One of the key aspects of ATUs is their focus on laboratory blood testing to ensure the safe and effective use of anticoagulants. This includes monitoring specific markers such as Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR).
PT indicates how quickly blood clots, while INR is the standard unit used to express PT results. INR values provide valuable information on the effects of anticoagulation medication and are crucial for regulating medication dosing. INR tests are often performed as walk-in services for anticoagulation patients, and patients are usually advised to bring their anticoagulation dosage information along with them.
In addition to INR testing, ATUs may also utilize point-of-care testing, such as finger-stick blood tests, which provide rapid results within minutes. This immediate assessment of INR levels allows for prompt dose adjustments, reducing potential adverse outcomes and improving patient satisfaction.
Furthermore, ATUs may employ specific calibrated anticoagulant measurement tests under special clinical situations to capture the full extent of anticoagulation. This is particularly important in cases where there is a potential for over-anticoagulation or under-anticoagulation, as it helps optimize medication levels and ensure patient safety.
In conclusion, Anticoagulation Therapy Units in hospitals are dedicated to providing comprehensive care for patients requiring anticoagulant medication. They achieve this through a combination of patient education, counseling, and meticulous laboratory blood testing to monitor and optimize anticoagulant therapy, thereby enhancing patient outcomes and overall heart health.
Medi-Cal Coverage at Cedars-Sinai: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also

Assessment and Treatment Unit for evaluation
ATU stands for Assessment and Treatment Unit, a specialised healthcare facility that evaluates and manages patients' medical needs. ATUs provide focused care for specific conditions, ensuring timely intervention and treatment.
One example of an ATU is the Acute Treatment Unit, which provides short-term psychiatric stabilisation for people experiencing a mental health crisis. The Acute Treatment Unit is a 15-bed inpatient facility for men and women over the age of 18 who are in an emotional crisis or have psychiatric needs. The unit provides a safe and secure environment for individuals who do not require extended hospitalisation. Staff at the Acute Treatment Unit work closely with each individual to create a treatment plan, which may include Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills groups, individual and family meetings, and medication evaluation and management.
Another example of an ATU is the Ambulatory Treatment Unit, which provides infusion therapy and other treatments tailored to individual needs. This unit offers specialised care for patients requiring outpatient treatments such as infusion therapy, bladder chemotherapy, antibiotic therapy, and biologic infusions.
Additionally, ATU can also refer to Anticoagulation Therapy Units, which are clinics that manage anticoagulation therapy for patients receiving long-term anticoagulation treatment. These clinics collaborate with other healthcare providers to set goals for therapy, monitor blood levels and lab work, and adjust medication doses as needed.
Johnsonville, SC: Hospital Availability and Access
You may want to see also

ATU Clinic for medication management
ATU stands for Acute Treatment Unit, a specialized healthcare facility that provides evaluation and management of patients' medical needs. The ATU Clinic for medication management is a vital service offered by hospitals to help patients manage their medications effectively. Here is some detailed information about the ATU Clinic:
Services Provided
The ATU Clinic offers comprehensive medication management services, including anticoagulation therapy for patients receiving long-term anticoagulation treatment. The clinic collaborates with patients' other healthcare providers to set goals, monitor blood levels, and adjust medication doses as needed. This ensures that patients receive optimal care and that their medication regimens are aligned with their overall treatment plans.
Patient Eligibility
The ATU Clinic serves patients who are receiving long-term anticoagulation therapy and require regular blood testing to monitor their anticoagulant medication. This includes patients treated with warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants such as Eliquis or Xarelto. To establish care at the ATU Clinic, a referral from the patient's doctor is required.
Appointment Process
During the initial appointment at the ATU Clinic, patients meet with a qualified pharmacist who reviews their medical history, medication list, and provides education about their therapy. For patients on warfarin, the pharmacist performs a fingerstick blood test to check the INR (International Normalized Ratio). For patients on other anticoagulant therapies, updated lab work is completed before the appointment and reviewed by the pharmacist during the visit. Medication doses are then adjusted as needed based on the lab results.
Location and Contact
Parkview Health operates several ATU Clinics across different hospitals, including Parkview Regional Medical Center, Parkview Randallia Hospital, and Parkview Dekalb Hospital. Contact information is provided for each clinic location, allowing patients to easily connect with the ATU staff and determine their eligibility for the medication management program.
Benefits
The ATU Clinic for medication management offers several benefits to patients. It ensures that medication doses are optimized based on regular blood testing and lab work. This helps maintain the effectiveness of the treatment while minimizing potential side effects. Additionally, the clinic's collaboration with other healthcare providers ensures a coordinated approach to patient care, enhancing the overall treatment outcome.
HCA Lake Monroe: Magnet Status and What It Means
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
ATU stands for Acute Treatment Unit, which is a specialized healthcare facility for the evaluation and management of patients' medical needs.
The ATU provides short-term psychiatric stabilization for people in emotional or mental health crisis. The unit offers a calm, safe, and supportive environment with 24/7 support from mental health providers, including therapists, nurses, case managers, and psychiatrists.
The ATU serves individuals aged 18 and older who are in need of psychiatric services but do not require hospitalization or extended stays. It is not suitable for individuals who are violent, intoxicated, withdrawing from substance use, immobile, or incontinent.
ATU services can be accessed through voluntary or involuntary admissions. During business hours, individuals can walk into any Axis Health System location, and outside of business hours, they can call the 24/7 Axis Care Line. A referral from a doctor is required for establishing care at an ATU Clinic.



















