Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
The Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) is a 12-bed adult critical care unit providing comprehensive care for critically ill medical patients with a vast variety of diagnoses. The MICU has a well-trained team of intensivists, physicians and nurses to provide expert care to patients with pulmonary problems. The MICU performs intense monitoring of patients and provides care for those requiring high-frequency ventilation and continuous renal replacement therapy.
The MICU also works with the rapid response team (RRT), providing a nurse to assist with diagnosis and treatment of patients that are not currently in a critical care environment.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
The multidisciplinary team in the MICU consists of intensivists, physician specialists, critical care nurses. Multidisciplinary services including:
- 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.
Many of the nurses are certified through The American Association of Critical Care Nurses and are CCRN recipients.
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 MICU's patient population includes:
- ARDS
- COPD
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- End-stage renal disease
- Multi-system organ failure
- Diabetes
- Sepsis
- GI bleed
Nursing Orientation
Nursing orientation to the MICU is individualized and tailored to the need of hired employee. Emphasis is placed on a minimal number of preceptors and assuring continuous follow up on performance and areas for improvement. The new graduate nurse orientation program is available biannually (February and July) and includes a six-month extended 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
- Flexibility with shifts
Shared Decision-Making Council Projects:
- Holiday schedules by request
- Scheduling improvements
