Neurosciences Critical Care Unit (NCCU)
The Neurosciences Critical Care Unit (NCCU) is an eight-bed adult critical care unit and six-bed intermediate care unit. One of only three NCCUs in Maryland, the NCCU at Johns Hopkins Bayview is designed to provide comprehensive care for critically ill neurology and neurosurgery patients. Since its inception in 1995, the NCCU has been dedicated to state-of-the-art neurological and neurosurgical care. The unit was one of the first units in Maryland to receive accreditation from the Joint Commission for disease specific care (stroke). Today, the Stroke Program at Johns Hopkins Bayview continues to be recognized by the Joint Commission, as well as by The Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services.
The NCCU serves all patients in Maryland and the surrounding states, these patients require close observation with the use of state of the art monitoring equipment, mechanical ventilation, and highly skilled nurses. Nurses in the NCCU are trained in critical care and specialty-certified by the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
The multidisciplinary team on the NCCU includes intensivists, neurologists, neurosurgeons and critical care nurses trained in advanced life support, neurosciences, surgery and trauma care of adult patients. Other multidisciplinary services include:
- Respiratory therapy
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Dietary services
- Pharmacy services
- Social work
- Case management
- Clergy services
- Psychologists
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- 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.
Nursing Orientation
Nursing orientation to the NCCU 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:
- Annual critical care skills and competency training
- Hospital-wide and unit-based educational offerings and inservices
- Advancement in Clinical Excellence (ACE) Program
- Trauma offerings (16 hours biannually)
- Stroke education
- CNRN preparedness
- CCRN preparedness
- Critical care conferences
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:
- Service excellence
- Positive deviance to reduce MRSA transmission rates
- Employee satisfaction
