Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU):
The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) is a 16-bed cardiovascular recovery and intensive care unit. The all-RN staff is highly proficient in the pre-operative, intra-operative support, and immediate post-operative phases of care in patients with various cardiovascular procedures including but not limited to open heart, Ventricular Assist Devices and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement. The staff also cares for acute cardiology patients and post cardiology procedures. RNs demonstrate expertise with all types of invasive lines, medications, hemodynamic parameters, intra aortic balloon pumps, and other ventricular assists devices. RNs are also highly proficient in the care of various types of surgical and medical intensive care patients. RNs are required to be ACLS certified, and CCRN and CSC certifications are highly encouraged. The leadership team of the CVICU consists of the clinical manager, program manager, and clinical educator. Our support team consists of health unit coordinators. The CVICU is a fast-paced unit utilizing state-of-the-art technology, nationally recognized standards of care, acute critical thinking skills and autonomy. The CVICU RNs embrace autonomy and deliver highly skilled blended intensive nursing care with care and compassion.
Medical ICU (MICU):
The Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) is a 20-bed unit located on 7 West. We care for patients with numerous diagnoses, including: pneumonia, GI bleed, respiratory failure, sepsis, heart failure, MI, acute renal failure and many others. We also handle a variety of equipment such as IABPs and CRRT machines. Staffing ratios are maintained at a 1:2 nurse/patient ratio, unless the patient requires 1:1 care. The MICU is a closed unit, with an intensivist physician serving as the attending for each patient. The Christ Hospital is a teaching facility, giving us the opportunity to work closely with the medical residents in the MICU, and allowing us to train new nurses through the Critical Care Nurse Internship Program.
Surgical ICU (SICU):
The Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) is a 12-bed unit specializing in admissions that include: renal transplants, and neurological, general, vascular, thoracic and complex gynecological surgery as well as a wide variety of other critically ill patients requiring intensive care nursing. Nurses in the SICU care for patients using state-of-the-art equipment and high-tech computer programs in an exciting and positive environment.
Cardiovascular Stepdown Unit (CVSU):
The Cardiovascular Step-down Unit is a 35-bed surgical telemetry unit. The primary focus is heart, lung and vascular care, but the staff is experienced in caring for any diagnosis. All the nurses are ACLS certified. In addition to RNs, CVSU has a staff of patient care assistants, health unit coordinators, and cardiac monitor readers who work together to provide quality care. There are also exercise specialists who perform all the cardiac rehab and education before discharge and a social worker and case manager assigned to each patient for a smooth transition from admission to discharge.
4 South Cardio-Pulmonary Stepdown:
The Cardio-Pulmonary Stepdown Unit is a 38-bed unit specializing in the care of patients with acute MI, cardiac arrhythmias, syncope, device implants, cardiomyopathy, CHF, ablation and PTA. This unit also cares for the long-term ventilator-dependent patient with minimal weaning activity (for which training is available). Offers medical services to all types of patients requiring cardiac monitoring, including: cardiology, renal, endocrinology, general medicine and oncology. In addition, multiple medications are titrated in this unit.
6 South Medical Stepdown:
The medical telemetry unit is a 40-bed unit specializing in the care of patients with acute MI, cardiac arrhythmias, syncope, cardiomyopathy and heart failure, as well as the recovery of patients following ablation, PTCA and PTA procedures. Also offers medical services to all types of patient populations requiring cardiac monitoring, including: renal, endocrine, orthopedic, pulmonary, oncologic, general medicine and geriatric. Other services provided in this unit include the titration of multiple intravenous medications, conscious sedation for cardioversions, and the removal of arterial and venous sheaths following PTCA and PTA procedures. All nurses are ACLS certified and have successfully completed an ECG interpretation course. This is an excellent unit to aid in the transition to the ICU setting.
7 South Heart Failure Stepdown:
The recently-renovated Heart Failure Treatment Center has 28 private medical telemetry beds. The unit offers a family-centered environment. In addition to caring for heart failure patients, the unit specializes in the care of patients diagnosed with MI, cardiac arrhythmias, syncope and cardiomyopathy, as well as the recovery of patients following ablation, pacer placement/ICD and PTA. Medical services are offered to all types of patient populations requiring cardiac monitoring, including: renal, endocrine, pulmonary, oncologic, general medicine and geriatric. Other services provided in this unit include the titration of multiple intravenous medications and conscious sedation for cardioversion. In addition, a select group of nurses complete special training to provide ultrafiltration for our decompensated heart failure patients. All nurses are ACLS certified and have completed an EKG interpretation course.
Emergency Department (ED):
Specializing in adult cardiac care and complex internal medicine, Christ Hospital's 33-bed emergency department includes some of the most experienced and trusted emergency care specialists in the area, including: board-certified emergency medicine physicians, trauma surgeons, nurses, physician assistants and social workers. The department has a high acuity patient population and an all-RN nursing staff. It's a fast-paced environment and requires excellent critical thinking skills.
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU):
Post Anesthesia Care Unit(PACU) is a 28 bed unit serving General Surgery, GU, Spine, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Kidney Transplants; as well as a 10 bed unit serving the Women's' Center (GYN procedures). A variety of surgeries in a fast pace high acuity environment requires ICU skills, time management, and flexibility with hours to meet our patient needs.