Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit / Cardiac Care Unit

The Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit (CICU) is an 18-bed in-patient unit with provision for complex invasive hemodynamic monitoring and treatment of adult patients during the critical phase of recovery from cardiac and thoracic surgery.  The unit is comprised of three, 6 bed pods.  Monitoring capability is available at each bedside.  There are a total of 4 negative air-flow isolation rooms and 6 barrier isolation rooms.  Each isolation room is fully monitored with a remote alarm system to the center island station of the pod.

The average bed occupancy is 91.53%.

Monitoring capabilities include Hewlett-Packard bedside cardiac monitor at each bedspace capable of EKG, pulse oximetry, NIBP, 5 invasive hemodynamic pressure signals, cardiac output and advanced arrhythmia detection. Bedside may be equipped with a CCO/SvO2 monitor.

Patients with special requirements are placed strategically to provide optimal nursing care to meet individual needs.

The unit remains operational 24 hours per 7 days per week.

Learn more about:

• Descriptions of Patient Populations
• Nursing Care
• Health Care Team

Patient Poplation

Patients are admitted to CICU following cardiothoracic surgery for:

• Coronary Artery Revascularization
• Heart Valve(s) Repair or Replacement
• Surgical Repair of Congenital Cardiac Anomalies
• Cardiac Transplantation
• Lung Transplantation
• Heart-Lung Transplantation
• Thoracic Aortic Repair (both open repair and deployment of Endostents)
• Lung Resection
• Ventricular Assist Support: HeartMate XVE LVAS and Thoratec or AbioMed uni-ventricular or bi-ventricular support.

Ages of patients admitted to CICU range from adult to elderly.  The average length of stay is 6.86 days.

Common medical procedures and therapies performed in the unit include: arterial, central venous and pulmonary artery line placement; chest tube placement and removal; intubation and extubation; temporary cardiac pacing; mechanical ventilation; intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation; continuous veno-venous hemofiltration; hemodialysis and support with a ventricular assist device.

Nursing Care

Nursing care is focused on the assessment, diagnosis, planning, treatment and evaluation of pre-operative and post-operative surgical patients with emphasis on Cardiovascular Surgery and ICU care including rhythm interpretation, hemodynamics, airway management, pain management, medication management, safety precautions, patient/family education and support and initiation of the rehabilitation process.

Registered nurses in CICU meet the basic requirements for Registered Nurse staff and function in accordance with the nursing department job description, as described in the Hospital Plan for Nursing Care.  Additional unit requirements for registered nurses include temporary epicardial pacing, open cardiac arrest management and external cardiac defibrillation.

Health Care Team

The Medical Director for CICU is a Cardiothoracic Surgical Attending physician.  The Cardiothoracic Surgery faculty, Residents and Physician Extenders (physician assistants and nurse practitioners) provide 24-hour medical care to the patients 7 days per week.  Interdisciplinary, comprehensive care is provided by the medical and nursing staffs, social services, case management, rehabilitative services, food and nutrition services, cardiopulmonary services, pharmacy, pastoral care and other health care providers as indicated by the patient’s health status and identified needs.

The nursing management structure consists of a Nurse Manager and Clinical Leader with support from a central Administrative Coordinator, a Clinical Nurse Specialist and a Unit Assistant. The management team provides training experiences to attain and maintain competence as defined by the unit/role specific job descriptions and the departmental education plan.

Unit staff includes registered nurses and unit clerks. Unit clerks meet the basic requirements for their positions and function in accordance with their unit-based job description, as described in the Hospital Plan for Nursing Care.  Their job responsibilities are performed under the direct supervision of the registered nurse.