Five critical care patients, their families, University of Florida physicians and Shands Jacksonville nurses gathered to celebrate the opening of the new Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit at Shands Jacksonville.
To mark the opening of the 12-bed, fully equipped unit, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception was held on May 17. Ashley Davis, a former trauma patient who nearly died in an ATV accident, did the honors of cutting the ribbon.
The Neurology ICU will provide specialized neurologic and neurosurgical care for patients with severe neurologic illnesses, neurologic traumas, post-neurosurgery procedures and post neuro-interventional procedures.
Alan Berger, MD, UF College of Medicine-Jacksonville professor and chair of the department of neurology, said he is excited about the level of care that patients will receive in this newly designated area.
"Neurologically ill patients patients previously cared for in the surgical or medical intensive care units will now be cared for in this specialized unit, which emphasizes advanced neurologic care and monitoring by bedside nurses, advanced nurse practitioners and neurocritical care faculty," said Berger.
Medical research indicates that patients cared for in specialized neurological critical care units have shorter hospital stays and enhanced neurologic recovery. This unit represents three years of collaboration between the UF Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Shands Jacksonville surgical and medical intensive care services.
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