Aspen Valley Hospital's Patient Care Unit provides inpatient care for all types of medical patients (such as cardiac, pulmonary, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and pediatric), as well as a number of different types of surgical patients (such as orthopaedic, gynecologic, general surgery, urologic, and plastic surgery). AVH boasts an all-RN nursing staff that works closely with patients, families, and physicians to coordinate care and enhance the healing process. Denise Clark, RN, Nurse Manager, says the philosophy of care that permeates the PCU and Intensive Care Unit is that of caring, compassion and competence. "Our approach is holistic—we strive to address the needs of body, mind, and spirit," she said. "And most of our nurses have bachelor's degrees, with many of them having master's degrees. That means our patients are entrusted to nurses who are not only compassionate and caring, but also intelligent and well-educated." The ICU has three beds for seriously ill or injured patients. Equipment is state of the art, and all nurses in this department hold advanced certifications in critical care nursing and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Nurses are required to obtain ongoing education in the field of critical care. Enhancing the nursing service provided to ICU patients is the expertise of AVH's physicians. The excellent critical care services are provided not only by a team of internists and family practitioners, but also by a trauma surgeon, cardiologists, orthopaedists, and other specialists on the staff. Nuclear medicine, CT and MRI scanning, and ultrasound capabilities enhance the physician's ability to diagnose and treat seriously ill or injured patients.