Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit
(NSICU)
(NSICU)
Description of Patient Population
- Adult patients with complex neurosurgical problems and trauma requiring frequent observation, critical monitoring and medical treatment, and intensive specialized nursing care.
- Common procedures in unit: intubation, bronchoscopy, endoscopy, tracheotomy, continuous EEG monitoring, placement of ICP catheters, and pulmonary artery catheterization.
Number of Beds
- 10 bed unit.
Special Certification Requirements
- Nursing staff must complete advanced cardiac life support within 18 months and recertify every 2 years.
Special Programs
- Active Nursing Education Committee that provide monthly offerings to keep staff current.
- Staff work closely with Kentucky Organ Donor Association (KODA) with some stuff functioning as Donation Requesters.
Staffing Patterns
- Staffing ratio is 1 – 1.5 patients/RN with one Nursing Care Technician in the unit as needed.
