PROFILE
The Neuroscience ICU is a eighteen-bed unit dedicated to the treatment of neuroscience patients who require intensive medical and nursing management. The patients cared for in this unit include acute embolic stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, seizure, head injury, spinal cord injury, post-surgical and post-interventional.

UNIT FOCUS
The care of the Neuroscience patient is unique. Issues that effect intensive care

patients such as arrhythmia, respiratory failure, trauma and sepsis are complicated by the presence of neurologic disease. In addition to hemodynamic monitoring, the neurologic assessment can require monitoring of intracranial pressure or cerebral oxygen demand. Problems of fluid balance are complicated by problems of cerebral edema and endocrine abnormalities. Injury to the nervous system affects mind, body, and spirit. Thought processes affecting communication, movement, and sensation often result in drastic life changes. Confusion, delirium, and aphasia contribute to already stressful situations. Therefore, collaboration with our team of physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, chaplains, dieticians and others is important in transitioning patients to general care.

Supporting patient's families is an important aspect of our care. Families are vital to the patient's progress and we provide a large array of supports for them.

PATIENT CARE DELIVERY MODEL
The patient care delivery model is patient-focused, supported by primary nursing. Rounding with primary neurosurgical teams and neurology lead intensivists provides the framework for building a collaborative plan of care.

TEAM MEMBERS
ICU Attendings, Neurology Fellows, along with a Clinical Nurse Specialist, a case manager, and social worker support the RN staff. Critical care technicians, Operations Associates and Unit Service Associates, also support our RN staff. Collaboration with other health care teams include but are not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, chaplaincy, and dietary. To inquire about positions available on this unit, contact Rod Mattson at rmattson@partners.org.

SCHEDULING PRACTICES
The unit has flexible scheduling including eight and twelve hour shifts. Scheduling is a collaborative process that is designed to meet our patients needs. We offer flexible night and limited weekend scheduling.

STAFF ORIENTATION
Our unit-based orientation is designed to meet the individual needs of the adult learner. Our new staff attends a brief general hospital nursing orientation and then joins their preceptors on Blake 12. For the next 12 weeks, the nurse and preceptor complete a competency-based orientation, which includes a six-day ICU consortium. Orientees meet regularly with our unit-based Clinical Nurse Specialist, who also offers small group classes on the unit throughout orientation. We do offer a New Graduate in Critical Care program for new nurses hired into the ICU settings.

EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
We encourage staff to advance their practice through education. We offer many levels of educational support including unit based, classes at our facility and opportunities to be involved in regional and national learning opportunities.