Unit 94 Medical Intermediate Care Unit (IMC)

The 94 Medicine Intermediate Care Unit of Shands is a 24-bed unit and includes monitoring capabilities at each bedside. The  94MIMC provides treatment for patients requiring complex stabilization and care.  These patients are admitted from the Emergency Department, referred from other hospitals, patients on med-surg units  requiring  a higher level of care or who have had a worsening in condition and patients  requiring complex cardiovascular or pulmonary management and intervention. A team of healthcare workers, admitting attending physicians, residents and interns as well as specialists as requested by the primary teams, nurses, social workers and ancillary personnel work together to provide this excellent care and service.

Learn more about:

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

Patient Population and Monitoring

Monitoring capabilities include, but are not limited to: EKG monitoring, invasive hemodynamic monitoring, pulse oximetry, temperature and continuous cardiac output via Flo Trac.  The patient population consists of multiple medical diagnoses including sepsis, pneumonia, COPD, respiratory failure, pre & post transplant, drug overdoses, renal failure, GI Bleed, infectious diseases and cancer.

Nursing Care

Nursing care is focused on the assessment, diagnosis, planning, treatment and evaluation of patient’s frequent intervention in treatment.  Nursing activities include hemodynamic monitoring, fluid and electrolyte monitoring, vasoactive and inotropic therapy, respiratory management, specialized wound care, nutritional therapy, medication management and comfort/sedation measures. Patient and family education and emotional support related to the patient’s condition and treatment is an essential element in the nursing care provided.

Unit Orientation

Unit 94MIMC has an orientation process designed to integrate the new nursing staff in a positive and supportive manner.  Hospital orientation is comprised of eight hours of activities that assist new personnel in understanding the hospital’s mission, values, service, CQI and diversity.  Departmental orientation consists of four days covering risk management, ethics, advanced directives, infection control, safety, arrest/airway management and the pharmacy system.

The unit orientation is completed within 8-12 weeks and includes independent study time, attendance in the Fundamental Critical Care skill course, and one on one assignment with a preceptor throughout orientation. The length of the orientation is determined by skill set. An end of orientation evaluation is scheduled with the new registered nurse, at which time, their new schedule, ongoing mentors and goals are discussed.  Within the first year the new registered nurse will obtain additional training on the more complex equipment and patients.  A six-month completion of orientation and annual evaluation will be completed to ensure the nurse is achieving competence within the unit.

Unit 94MIMC offers health care professionals many opportunities for educational growth and clinical development.  It also provides multiple professional and clinical resources to utilize in a learning environment full of educational opportunity and challenge in the health care role.  A supportive environment is present for medical and nursing research, specialized roles in nursing and flexible scheduling.  Nursing care is based on the total patient care delivery model. Our team approach to patient care promotes the highest quality of nursing.

Health Care Team

Care is provided to patient’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Scheduling of rotations is maintained through the Department of Medicine.

Nursing Management for the unit includes  Nurse Manager Lilia Febre-Viera, Clinical LeaderDuke Lim and Unit Assistant Roger Robles. Department of Nursing Staff is provided training experiences to attain and maintain competence as defined by the unit/role specific job descriptions and departmental education plan.  Clerk monitor techs provide clerical support and central monitor support for the direct patient caregivers.  The registered nurse is responsible for guiding care of the patient based upon the individualized plan.