Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU)
WakeMed’s Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) provides the highest level of care for critical care patients with cardiac and other medical conditions. Our 18-bed Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and eight-bed Intermediate Care Unit admit patients age 18 and older who have potentially life-threatening conditions and require an intense level of nursing care and advanced monitoring. Our dedicated team of nurses, many who hold national certifications in critical care nursing, treat more than 1,300 patients from Wake County and surrounding areas yearly.
Team-oriented, focused plan of care for each patient
Our specialty trained critical care nurses are joined by a multidisciplinary healthcare team that includes certified nursing assistants, clinical case managers, social workers, clinical dieticians, diabetes educators/specialists, clinical pharmacists, intensivists, non-invasive and invasive cardiologists, hospitalists, physician assistants, physical, occupational and speech therapists, a congestive heart failure team and chaplaincy.
A plan of care is developed in collaboration with the patient, significant others, physicians and members of the health care team. Patients are provided nursing care by an all-RN staff through a total care process based on assessment and reassessment of patient needs. CICU receives cardiac specific patient satisfaction results to evaluate the level of care or services provided to the patient to meet their needs. CICU also consistently monitors quality of care indicators identified by multiple national organizations and publicly reported data.
Advanced cardiac monitoring offers added level of comfort
Our unit is equipped to provide the highest level of cardiac monitoring. This helps our team check for any subtle changes in a patient’s status so that they can provide immediate treatment. Our state-of-the-art ICU includes:
- Continuous EKG monitoring and dysrhythmia alarms with:
Audio, visual and printed alarms
18 bedside EKG monitors
Remote (room-to-room) monitoring capabilities
ST segment monitoring
24-hour dysrhythmia recall - Continuous invasive and noninvasive arterial pressure monitoring
- Continuous cardiac output monitoring
- Hemodynamic pressure monitoring
PA pressure
CVP pressure - Continuous core body temperature monitoring
- Cardiovascular supports
Temporary atrial pacing generator
Temporary ventricular pacing generator
External transcutaneous pacer/defibrillator
Intra-aortic balloon pump therapy
Impella cardiac assist - Ventilatory monitoring
Continuous inspired oxygen monitoring available for all ventilated patients
End tidal carbon dioxide monitoring for all ventilated patients
Audio alarms on all ventilators
Transcutaneous oxygen monitoring or pulse oximetry - Airway maintenance
Oral airway at each bedside
Ambu bag available on all crash carts; maintained at the bedside of all ventilated patients
Intubation equipment including laryngoscopes available on all crash carts for emergency situations
Oxygen, compressed air and ventilators available - Peritoneal dialysis
- Continuous renal replacement therapy
- Induced mild hypothermia
- eICU (TeleICU) monitoring
CICU provides an open visitation environment and invite a support person/family member to be at the patient’s bedside throughout their stay in the unit. While patients are in our CICU, families and loved ones also have access to our comfortable and spacious Critical Care & Surgery Waiting Room, located on the second floor, adjacent to all of our intensive care units. Open 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, our CCSWR is a warm and supportive place to wait while your loved one is hospitalized.
Our CICU staff’s commitment to patient and families is evident in the skilled care delivered each day. They are dedicated in providing an exceptional healthcare experience.