Critical Care
Progressive Care, Medical-Surgical ICU, Cardiovascular ICU, and Coronary Care Unit

Critical care units provide special intensive care and treatment for patients who are critically ill or injured. They provide close monitoring of patients whose conditions are unstable or unpredictable. Baptist Medical Center Downtown has four intensive care units:

• Progressive Care Unit
• Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit
• Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
• Coronary Care Unit

Although each of our four areas provides care for specific conditions, we share a common goal of "providing the best care possible to patients".

Each of these units provides highly specialized care, and many types of healthcare professionals work with patients in our ICUs. Our multidisciplinary healthcare teams often include:

physicians nurses respiratory therapists dieticians physical therapists speech therapists unit secretaries physician assistants nurse practitioners case manager (patient's advocate with Medicare, insurance, etc.) social worker (helps family plan for transition to next level of care)

The range of services our teams provide can sometimes be difficult to understand, but we can help. We have staff members who are available to answer questions and orient you to each unit.

Our Nursing Staff

We are proud to be voted the region's most preferred nurses. Along with our passion for patient care, our professional staff is highly trained in the field of critical care nursing. Our nurses receive specialized training in EKG interpretation, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), and ventilator management. Many are Certified Critical Care Nurses (AACN).

The nurse to patient ratio is usually 2:1 in critical care areas and typically higher in Progressive Care. When warranted, a nurse is assigned to only one patient.

The nursing leadership team is also involved in critical care. Nurse Managers make daily rounds and are readily accessible to patients, family, and the nursing staff.

During the hospital stay, you may have the opportunity to meet with a Nurse Hospitalist. This specially trained nurse serves many roles assisting the healthcare team in providing each patient with the highest quality care. The Nurse Hospitalist's purpose is to ensure continuity of care, patient satisfaction, and positive patient outcomes.

Your doctor may ask the Nurse Hospitalist to come speak with you about the patient's particular condition including testing and procedures, medications, and/or changes to lifestyle. He/She works with the nursing staff to provide you and your loved ones with the information and education needed to best manage the patient's health during and after hospitalization. Planning for discharge begins on admission, the Nurse Hospitalist and Medical Social Services will assist you with any special discharge needs you might have including equipment and/or outpatient services such as home health care , physical therapy, and occupational therapy. It is our goal to assist you and your loved one in any way possible to optimize the patient's care and transition back home or to the previous living arrangement. You may request a visit from your Nurse Hospitalist by asking your primary nurse to contact us.

Family and Friends

The involvement of our patients' family members and loved ones is directly related to our goal of providing the best care possible and we welcome you to our caregiving team. Your familiar face and reassuring touch are very important to the patient. Therefore, our visiting hours allow you the flexibility to be bedside throughout the day. Unfortunately, visitors cannot stay in patient rooms overnight, but we can assist you in finding nearby overnight accommodations.

In addition to the waiting room, we provide a "quiet room" for conferences and a place to seek respite from critical care activities. Patients respond and heal in different ways. Our holistic approach provides opportunities such as guided imagery for pain management, music therapy, pet therapy, and pastoral care (chaplain) as requested. Please familiarize yourself with the guidelines for visiting, sharing information, and what to bring to Critical Care areas.