Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU)
The Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) is a 12-bed adult critical care unit providing comprehensive care for critically ill patients with a primary cardiac diagnosis. The CICU performs intense monitoring of patients and cares for those requiring Intra-aortic balloon pumps, external temporary pacemakers and continuous renal replacement therapy.
The CICU also works closely with the Cardiac Catheterization Lab to assist in quick diagnosis and treatment of patients requiring percutaneous coronary intervention for ST elevation myocardial infarction, providing some of the best door-to-balloon-inflation times in the state. Highly trained nurses in the CICU also respond to all cardiac and respiratory arrests in the hospital, assisting with immediate treatment of these critically ill patients.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
The CICU's multidisciplinary team consists of intensivists, physician specialists, and critical care nurses trained in cardiology and intensive care. Many of the nurses are certified through The American Association of Critical Care Nurses and are CCRN recipients. Other multidisciplinary services include:
- Respiratory therapy
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Dietary services
- Pharmacy services
- Social work
- Case management
- Clergy services
- Palliative care
- Infectious diseases
- Ancillary support
A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is assigned to the CICU and lends educational and clinical support to staff. The CNS is responsible for orientation of new staff, and ongoing mentoring and education, as well as support in evidence-based practice and new technology.
As teaching and research are highly valued within Johns Hopkins Medicine, special teaching rounds are done on a weekly basis. The multidisciplinary team shares their knowledge and ideas during rounds in an effort to provide the best patient care possible.
Patient Population
The CICU's patient population includes:
- Acute myocardial infarction
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Post coronary intervention
- Congestive heart failure
- Hypertensive emergency
- Cardio-pulmonary arrest
- Sepsis
- Multi-system organ failure
Nursing Orientation
Nursing orientation to the CICU is highly individualized and tailored to the education, experience and training needs of the nurse. The new graduate nurse orientation program is available biannually (February and July) and includes a more-extensive, six-month orientation.
Educational Opportunities:
- Monthly critical care competencies/education
- Hospital-wide and unit-based educational offerings and inservices
- Advancement in Clinical Excellence (ACE) Program
- Daily rounding with physicians
- CCRN preparedness
- Critical care conferences/NTI
Scheduling:
- Nightingale/Intragale scheduling on the Web (accessible from any computer)
- Self-scheduling
- Holiday packages
- Weekend alternative
- Limited day/night rotation
- Flexibility with shifts
Shared Decision-Making Council Projects:
- Holiday schedules by request
- Supply inventory improvement
- Scheduling improvements
- Journal Club
