The Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital provides specialized, high-acuity care for critically ill and injured patients.

Our SICU team treats patients requiring advanced care in general surgery, pediatric surgery, trauma, neurosurgery, gastroenterology, otolaryngology, vascular surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and orthopaedic surgery.

This 12-bed unit, located on the fifth floor, is staffed by a dedicated multidisciplinary team committed to delivering expert, compassionate care to support the best possible patient outcomes.

Our SICU nursing staff played a crucial role in the first living donor kidney transplant completed by WVU Medicine Transplant Alliance, undergoing specialized training, adjusting nurse-to-patient ratios for personalized care, and prioritizing pain management and discharge planning to support the best possible outcomes.

What We Do

The SICU team provides care for a vast range of surgical injuries and illnesses coming from nearly all departments in the hospital. Our SICU team treats severely injured or ill patients using a collaborative approach to care. This multidisciplinary team is equipped with the expertise required to care for the wide array of surgical complications and conditions.

The unit is staffed by attending physicians who provide continuous coverage with assistance from a team of residents (doctors in training). Our SICU nurses have received advanced training in critical care nursing, and many have received additional degrees and certifications.

What to Expect

The SICU is patient centered. Patients (to the extent they are able) and families participate in all discussions and decisions about care. A patient’s length of stay in the SICU can range from hours to months depending upon the extent of the illness or injury. Communication is a top priority on the unit, with nursing staff providing regular updates on patients’ conditions to family members.

Visitation policy hours and guidelines can be found here.