Neurosciences |
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Overview
Multidisciplinary Team Approach Inpatient Program Outpatient Program Stroke Certification The Hauenstein Center Neuroscience at Saint Mary's. It is truly an exciting time to be involved in the Neuroscience Program at Saint Mary’s Health Care. The program is growing more each year as we add additional specialty physicians and clinics. With this growth in specialty physicians, there has been a substantial increase in the number of both medical and surgical neuroscience patients admitted to the hospital. Nurses working in the neuroscience areas can be found spanning the continuum of care from caring for patients in an ambulatory setting to critical care. Our neurologists and neurosurgeons believe in the collaborative practice model and count on our nursing staff’s expertise in developing a comprehensive plan of care for the patient. Our model of care ensures that staff is well supported, embraces a multidisciplinary team approach and is highly attentive to patient needs—mind, body and spirit. Currently, our spectrum of programs and services includes:
Our Inpatient Program. As members of our inpatient team, RNs have the opportunity to develop lasting relationships with patients in our medical/surgical, Neuroscience, NSU and EMU units: Med/Surg unit. Our RNs function as part of a multi-disciplinary team by assessing, planning, treating and educating patients with neurological conditions resulting from stroke, or surgical diagnoses such as post-op craniotomies and spinal surgery. This is a fast-paced unit with patients in various stage of hospitalization. The nurses here are dedicated to the care of patients with neurological conditions and are often certified in neuro-nursing.
Neuroscience Unit (NSU). The RN’s role here is assessing, planning, treating and educating patients who have need for higher vigilance of their neuroscience condition. NSU handles high acuity intermediate patients who experience mainly neuroscience conditions. However, nurses will see a number of other adult medical/surgical patients including stroke, thoracic surgeries, craniotomies and traumas.
EMU. This unit is a key part of the Epilepsy Program. This is a small outpatient unit for patients who are being removed from their current seizure medications. During the period of withdrawal of medications, the patient is closely observed by the RN and EEG technician for any seizure activity. Once seizure activity is documented, the multidisciplinary team determines the best course of treatment based on the exact location of the seizure activity in the brain. Although EMU is an outpatient unit, the average length of stay is 4 days. The RN works to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care for these patients during their stay. A very important part of the RN role is to address anxiety, stress and boredom that might arise as patients wait for a seizure to develop. The RN is expected to provide expert level care to the patient during and after the seizure activity occurs.
Our Outpatient Program. Saint Mary’s Neuroscience ambulatory RNs are part of our signature multidisciplinary team. As a team member, RNs will find themselves caring for patients with Epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and those who have undergone various neurosurgical procedures. Duties include providing care coordination and liaison services between patient providers and the health care system, offering patient and family education, facilitating neuroscience research and performing complex neuro-specific procedures, such as programming deep brain stimulators. Stroke Certification. At Saint Mary’s Health Care, our nurses are specially trained in the art and science of Neuroscience care across the continuum, with an emphasis on the treatment of stroke and stroke-related illnesses. Here, Neuroscience nurses are not only passionate about helping patients and their families understand this disease, they are equipped with strategies, which prevent complications and achieve optimal functional recovery. In fact, our stroke program was recently recognized with the honor of Joint Commission Certification as a Primary Stroke Center—a designation that distinguishes Saint Mary’s as a leader in high quality, evidence-based stroke care. The Hauenstein Center. In addition to the innovative technologies and programs we now offer, our Hauenstein Center opens early 2009. When it opens, it will be the only program of its kind in the country—bringing together both inpatient and outpatient neurological services under one roof for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and spine disorders. The center will offer the entire continuum of care including expanded and consolidated versions of our current neuroscience services: Memory Disorders/Alzheimer’s Program, Parkinson’s Center, Stroke and Spine Clinics. Housing the latest technologies and therapies, and led by a team of specialist physicians, The Hauenstein Center will provide an exceptional level of service and convenience for patients and their families with such services and distinctions as:
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