Intensive Care

Our team typically cares for patients with respiratory and cardiac problems and those who suffer from serious injury or infection. A patient may also be admitted here following a major surgery.

There are several types of equipment being used within our unit: ventilators used to assist with breathing, emergency resuscitation devices, vital sign monitors and other life-support systems. Our friendly staff will gladly describe to you the purpose and function of these machines to patients and loved ones.

Collaborative Care Keeps You in the Know

• Meet the many faces of the ICU. Our unit is where you’ll encounter a multifaceted philosophy of care designed to bring patients closer to improvement. registered nurses, hospitalists, primary care physicians, patient care technicians, and other health coordinators join the interdisciplinary team in focusing on how to help you heal. This involves your individual plan of care, diet and nutrition, medication management and more.
• The line of communication starts with you. Whether you are with us as a patient or as a family member, you may take an active role in the plan of care. During shift change, nursing staff may involve the patient/family through discussion of their condition and any updates to the plan of care.
• We welcome a family presence. The need for support is never more evident than in the challenging moments that characterize the intensive care provided here. While we do encourage family members to visit and be involved in the care plan, please be advised that visitation may be limited due to various health risks. Please see the Erlanger Visitation Policy for current guidelines. Our staff reserves the right to limit visitation if patient safety is compromised. In the case of infectious disease, children under the age of 12 will be asked to limit patient contact.

We recommend loved ones select one family member whose role is to convey questions and concerns to care providers in order to keep an organized and open line of communication.We have adopted the Care Partners model, a program that promotes communication between the healthcare team and the patient/family.

What is a Care Partner?

A care partner is someone chosen by the patient to help during and after their hospital stay. The care partner is also the contact person to help the healthcare team better understand the patient’s needs and preferences. They may participate in the patient’s medical care. The care partner should be prepared to be involved in the patient’s care for the entire hospital stay. The identified care partner will be informed of the patient’s health progress and should be prepared to participate in rounds and discussions with the medical team and other staff. Finally, it is the designated Care Partner that will inform other members of the patient’s family and friends of the patient’s condition and progress.

ICU at a glance:

• Each room in the six-bed unit is private and complete with a phone, television and in-room bathroom.
• Our patient ratio is 2-3 patients per nurse.