BWH Unveils New ICU- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
BWH Unveils New ICU- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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April 27, 2001
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In This Issue:
BWH Unveils New ICU
You Spoke, We’re Acting Communication Team
Hospitals Are A Priority in House Budget
May Calendar
Walk For Hunger
The beginning of this month marked the opening of BWH's new Thoracic Intensive Care Unit. With amenities ranging from decentralized nursing stations to modern boom technology, the new unit will provide the care of the highest quality to thoracic surgery patients. “The opening of this new ICU is going to benefit our patients immensely, and will serve as a model for thoracic departments in hospitals across the country,” said Steven J. Mentzer, MD, medical director, 11C. In addition to the advanced design and technology that will benefit patients, 11C offers many benefits to staff. Boom technology anchored from the ceiling ensures that all electrical devices and medical gases are completely mobile and off of the floor, freeing up space for clinicians to tend to the patient more effectively. In addition, the decentralized nursing stations located immediately outside each patient room efficiently combine work and patient monitoring areas for nurses. Said Chuck Labins, project manager, “We were successful at making a limited amount of space extremely efficient and flexible.” “Being part of the planning and starting a new unit is quite exciting. I'm proud of the team effort that went into opening 11C,” said Marie Krupar, RN, assistant nurse manager, who, together with Mae Hansen, RN, has lead the nursing staff in making the transition to this new unit. “Because 11C is geared to the thoracic surgery patient population, we are able to develop a real expertise in this area,” added Krupar. According to Fernandez, 11C is currently staffed for five ICU beds and is scheduled to be operating at full capacity once more nurses arrive on staff.