Lerner Tower 3 Cardiac and Pulmonary Surgical Stepdown

-Primary focus: Cardiac and Thoracic Surgical Recovery

-Postop open heart surgery:Nursing care focusing on pain management, mobility, and pulmonary toileting. Chest tube drains may be present, and equipment like temporary pacemakers is common.

-Transplant:Lerner Tower 3 SDU cares for Heart and Lung transplant patients once they are surgical stable and able to leave the ICU setting.

-Thoracic surgery:Primarily done to remove masses, fluid, or air from the pleural space. Includes lung resections and esophagostomies that are stabilized in the TSICU.Care is focused on pain management, mobility, and pulmonary toileting. Chest tube drains are very common, and tube feeding is often seen in the post esophagectomy patient.

Stepdown Focus (9 beds): High level, frequent assessment and monitoring currently performed in the CTICU such as arterial pressures, swan lines, post open heart procedures, and titration of drips

Description of Nurse Duties:

Provide safe efficient age specific nursing care to patients/families using the nursing process in order to assist them to attain, maintain, regain, and sustain optimal health status. Dimensions are:

Implements the nursing process by delivering effective relationship based nursing care.

Demonstrates technical skills in care delivery that result in safe practice and positive care outcomes.

Demonstrates clear communication and effective collaboration to optimize patient care and clinical operations.

Develops self and contributes to the professional practice of nursing.

Displays leadership that influences optimal clinical and operational outcomes.