Unity's low mortality rate gets national recognition
For more information on the Intensive Care Unit at Unity Hospital call, 763-236-5000.
Unity was recently recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) as a hospital with low mortality (death) rates.
Two contributing factors were the implementation of medical response teams in 2004, and the introduction of hospitalists in 2002. The medical response teams gather at a patient's bedside when nurses sense a life-threatening problem. Unity's hospitalists see patients everyday to ensure that patients are receiving the best possible care, resulting in greater communication and continuity.
"The staff here is just outstanding. Everyone, the nurses, doctors, specialists, and support staff, contributed and should feel very proud," said Judy Hoaglund, RN, MA, a nursing leader at Unity Hospital.
More praise
Unity has also been recognized by IHI for work done on reducing ventilator associated pneumonia, going 448 days without a single case. Other initiatives include tight control on glucose levels for all ICU patients and reducing catheter related bloodstream infections.
Mercy & Unity Hospitals have also received two important awards from the Minnesota Hospital Association – the 2004 Patient Safety Award and the 2004 Patient Care Innovation Award. These awards were given for the 50% reduction in ventilator associated pneumonia, also known as VAP, a deadly infection among intensive care patients.
Mercy & Unity Hospitals implemented the ventilator bundle concept as part of an Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) collaborative on improving care in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Critical care team
Members of a highly skilled team consisting of physicians, nurses and other
health care professionals will care for your loved one.
Physicians
In addition to attending physicians, there may be other physicians who take
care of your family member as consultants. These are physicians who are specifically
requested to see the patient to give opinions and provide treatments.
Internists - a physician specializing in nonsurgical diseases.
Cardiologist - a physician specializing in diseases of the heart.
Nephrologist - a physician specializing in kidney diseases.
Pulmonologist - a physician specializing in diseases of the lungs.
Neurologist - A physician specializing in neurological diseases (i.e. brain
and spinal cord).
Surgeon - A physician who conducts surgery.
ICU staff
Registered nurse - The registered nurse has advanced education in the care of
critically ill patients. The primary nursing approach promotes continuity and
coordination of care by paying attention not only to the physical needs of the
patients, but also to the psychological, emotional and spiritual needs that
often accompany a serious illness or prolonged hospitalization.
Health unit coordinator - The health unit coordinator answers phones, transcribes
physician orders and assists in receptionist duties.
Nursing assistant - The nursing assistant assists with patient's personal cares
under the direction of the RN.
Specialties
Respiratory therapist - The respiratory therapists work closely with the physician
and nurses to provide airway management, deliver oxygen, assist in managing
ventilators and administer breathing medication.
Pharmacists - The pharmacists work closely with the physician and nurses to
assure safe and correct medication administration and monitoring for the desired
response. They are available to assist with medication information and teaching.
Social worker - The social workers are available to assist patients and families
with financial concerns, discharge plans, home health needs, nursing home arrangement,
and transportation needs. They are also available to assist with organizing
family conferences.
Dietician - The dietician is available to assist patients in meeting their dietary
requirements.
Chaplain - The hospital chaplain provides an interfaith ministry, nurturing
patient/family values and beliefs, and encouraging a more holistic approach
to health care. Your physician, nurse or social worker can make a referral.
Rehabilitation service - As your family member's condition improves, the physician
may order physical and occupational therapy.
- Physical therapists - address mobility needs.
- Occupational therapists - assist with activities of daily living training.
- Speech language pathologists - assess and treat swallowing and communication
issues.
Interpreter - A free service, available upon request.
Patient representative - Questions, concerns or complaints about care or related
issues should be discussed with your family member's physician, nurse or the
patient representative. The patient representative is there to help answer questions
before they turn into problems.
ICU rounds
The critical care team does patient rounds daily. Patient goals and plan of
care are discussed. Families are encouraged to give any input to the nurse.
Intensive Care Unit information
Family lounge
Our family lounge is here to give you a quiet place to be near your family member.
Our lounge serves the family members of up to 20 patients. The hospital
cafeteria is the preferred place for eating.
Taking care of yourself
During this stressful time, it is also important that you also care for yourself.
- Call family members to provide emotional support. Often, having someone
to just listen can be of great support.
- Get plenty of rest and sleep.
- Eat
healthy and balanced meals.
- Get
plenty of exercise.
In order to be a strong supporter of your loved one, you must take care of
yourself. Talk to the nurse if you have concerns.
Privacy
You may telephone the ICU at any time. Please select a family spokesperson to
call for information. When you are away from the unit, be sure to leave a phone
number where you can be reached in case we need to contact you. A limited number
of pagers are also available. Please consult the ICU nurse for further information.
What you can do to help us with infection
control
We ask all visitors to clean their hands using the hand-cleansing foam located right outside of each patient's room before entering the patient's room and again when you leave the room. A sink is also located in each patient room and in the family lounge restroom for hand washing hand washing before and after visiting.
To minimize the risk of infection, food and drink, plants in dirt, candy and
most personal items are not permitted in patient rooms unless cleared with the
registered nurse.
Please do not visit if you are experiencing cold
or flu
symptoms or have been exposed to chicken
pox, measles,
or mumps
in the last 21 days.
Admission
When your family member is admitted to the ICU, he or she may come from surgery,
the emergency department, a physician's office or from another unit in the hospital.
Although you are anxious to see how they are doing, the staff needs a period
of time to settle the patient, review the physician's orders and make the patient
comfortable.
Use this time to let other family members know about the admission and/or surgery,
and to get yourself some coffee or a snack. The nurses will allow visitors to
come into the room when your loved one is settled.
Family support
Whenever a patient is admitted to the ICU, it is a stressful time for the patient,
family and friends. While the care of the patient takes priority the nurses
are also concerned about the patient's family and encourage you to ask questions
about hospital services or care.
The ICU nurse wants you to feel comfortable discussing any aspects of your loved
one's care. The ICU nurse welcomes any insights or information from you to make
the hospital stay easier. This may include information about favorite television
or radio programs or music.
Please remember that touch is also very important in the recovery process. Holding
the patient's hand and assisting in the physical care can be helpful and reassuring
to both the patient and yourself.
Many machines have alarms that make noises. Please be aware that these sounds
may not always signal a serious problem. If you have questions, please don't
hesitate to ask.
Smoking
Please remember the hospital and grounds are smoke-free.
Fragrances
The hospital is a fragrance free environment.
Informational wall
Pamphlets are available regarding procedures and diagnoses. Please check with
the nurse if unable to locate.
Cell phones
Activated cellular phones are permitted in the family lounge but not in patient care areas as they interfere with electronic
equipment.
Latex balloons
Latex balloons are not permitted in the hospital. Mylar balloons are acceptable.
Personal belongings
Because space is limited on the unit, we ask that relatives take most of the
patient's personal possessions home for safekeeping. If necessary, the Business
Office/Security may secure some valuables during the patient's stay. The hospital
is not responsible for damage, theft or loss of your personal belongings. We
also advise the family to take the patient's medications home.
Source: The Association for Professionals in Infection Control Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology, 2002; JCAHO Infection Control Standards, 2005; The Society for Critical Care Medicine Web site, www.sccm.org, Patient & Family
Reviewed by: Cindy D. Kamara, ICU interim nurse manager
First Published: 04/26/2007
Last Reviewed: 04/26/2007
Visiting guidelines
- The ideal visiting time for ICU patients is 15 to 30 minutes. Visiting time
may be shortened or extended as the patient's condition changes.
- Please limit visitors to two or three at a time.
- Quiet times: To allow quiet time for patients in the ICU and time for the nurses to exchange important information regarding patients without interruption, visiting and phone calls are limited during change of shift report times: 7 to 8 a.m., 3 to 4 p.m., 7 to 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. to Midnight. During these times, visitors may be asked to return to the family lounge to respect the confidentiality of other patients.
- Visitors may be asked to leave the patient's room, depending on the patient's care needs.
- If the curtain is pulled or the door closed, please check with the nurse
before entering.
- To ensure the privacy and confidentiality of all our patients, visitors should not stand in the hallways outside the patient rooms. Visitors who are not in a patient room should return to the family lounge.
Children under 12 years may visit with the following guidelines:
- Make prior arrangement with the nurse.
- Prepare children prior to their visit to assure that the visit is beneficial
for the patient and the child.
- An adult must accompany children at all times.
- Adults are responsible to monitor the child's behavior.
- Children should not sit on the floor, touch equipment, or leave the room
unattended.
- Children who are fussy or crying should be taken out of the unit.
Pet visitation
It may be possible for your loved one's pet to visit. Please ask a staff member
for more information.
