Telemetry and Primary Stroke
Departmental Scope of Services
The Telemetry and Primary Stroke unit is a 10-bed telemetry-designated private stroke unit that specializes in the care of patients who have suffered from a stroke, congestive heart failure or chest pain. This unit also provides nursing care to medical-surgical patients requiring telemetry monitoring.
The team is comprised of RNs with certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale.
Certified nursing assistants, unit secretaries, interdisciplinary staff and a nurse manager are on staff.
These positions include:
- Case managers
- Pastoral caregiver and dieticians
- Pharmacists
- Respiratory and physical therapists
- Speech and occupational therapists
All telemetry patients are monitored 24 hours a day by monitor techs from a separate room.
Patients Served
The patient population is adults of all ages.
This unit serves patients diagnosed with the following:
- AFib
- Chest pain
- Congestive heart failure
- MI
- Neurologic disorders requiring cardiac monitoring
- Stroke/TIA
- Pneumonia
Staffing Model
Following a staffing grid based on average daily census, our ratios are ideally five patients per one RN for both shifts with two certified nursing assistants (CNA's) on each shift. Our employees work together to create a safe environment for our patients. Bedside shift hand-off, as well as hourly rounding, is common practice.
Awards and Honors
- CRMC has received the Get with the Guidelines – Stroke, Gold plus elite award from the American Heart Association for the last three years.
Community Service
Telemetry and Primary Stroke provides blood pressure screenings and stroke education at the Charles County Fair, as well as at other public activities that UM Charles Regional participates.