Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Departmental Scope of Services
Our 10-room surgical ICU is an adult and geriatric center complete with advanced critical care equipment and monitoring systems. It serves a variety of patients, including those with complex medical conditions, conditions requiring intensive monitoring and general surgery post-op. Additional conditions treated include complex therapies such as CRRT – continuous, hemodialysis, hypothermia, post Alteplase patients, and advanced cardiac monitoring treatment options.
The ICU has 24-hour provider coverage for critical care and does receive patients who are post cardiac arrest and are a part of the Code Blue and Rapid Response Teams.
ICU patients receive care from a highly skilled, interdisciplinary team that rounds daily and focuses on evidence-based best practice to produce improved patient outcomes. Our goal is to eliminate VAP – ventilator associated pneumonia and BSI – bloodstream infections, along with decreasing the number of CAUTI – catheter associated urinary tract infections by implementing a bundle-style of standard practices.
Staffing Model
By individualizing the plan of care and focusing on these initiatives, we expect the patient to progress more quickly to the next level of care.
Our Critical Care team consists of:
- Critical care intensivist
- Nurse manager
- Primary care RN
- Pharmacist
- Dietician
- Case manager
- Respiratory therapist
- Infection control nurses
- Spiritual care
- PT/OT/Speech (as needed)
- Palliative care team
A nurse manager directs flow and daily operation of the unit in collaboration with nursing staff. Patient care is provided at a 2:1 nurse patient ratio. All registered nurses have certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale.
Nurses are supported by certified nursing assistants, unit secretaries and interdisciplinary staff as needed, including:
- Case managers
- Dieticians
- Palliative care
- Pastoral caregiver
- Pharmacists
- Physical therapist
- Respiratory therapists
- Speech and occupational therapists