At the Stony Brook University Heart Institute, we know that a large part of your experience with us depends on your interaction with our staff. Our team of highly skilled nursing professionals is focused on providing you with the best patient- and family-centered experience possible.
Patient- and family-centered care is an approach to the planning, delivery and evaluation of health care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among patients, families and health care practitioners. The experience of care, as perceived by the patient and family, is a key factor in health care quality and safety. Our goal is to create partnerships among healthcare practitioners, patients and families that will lead to the best outcomes and enhance the quality and safety of health care. Advanced cardiac nursing care is provided to our patients in these units within the hospital:
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit and Step-Down Unit: The all-new 10-bed cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU), located within the Hospital Pavilion, provides care for patients coming out of heart surgery with an adjoining new step-down unit for patients who no longer need the ICU. Both units have been thoughtfully designed to provide maximum comfort, convenience and safety for patients and their families.
Surgical patients spend the first couple of days after surgery in the CTICU followed by a few days in the step-down unit. The nurses in both units have all had specialized cardiac critical care training.
Both units have large, private, beautifully decorated rooms. Every patient room has a window to encourage healthy sleeping patterns and improved mood, along with a private bathroom and shower. An alcove with a sleeper couch in each room lets a relative or friend comfortably stay with the patient. A separate family waiting area with a private consultation room lets family members learn about the patient’s surgery and ask questions in confidence.
Cardiothoracic Intermediate Care Unit: The Cardiothoracic Intermediate Care Unit, located on 16 South of the hospital, is a 29-bed intermediate care/telemetry unit, consisting of private and semi-private rooms, located on the 16th floor of the hospital. Patients continue their recovery following cardiothoracic surgery on this unit until discharge from the hospital. Patients and families will be prepared for discharge by our Discharge Nurses, who also make follow-up calls to the patient's home after discharge. There are several unique programs that have been developed to assist patients in reaching a safe and speedy recovery. For example, the Walking Program, which is 11 am and 4:30 pm daily, encourages you to walk with the staff when you hear the walking music.
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit: The Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) is a 10-bed intensive care unit located on Level 5 within the Heart Institute. All rooms are private rooms. CICU provides care for patients with acute cardiac conditions. Patients who need intensive medical care and monitoring prior to cardiac surgery may be in CICU. Patients receive expert intensive care monitoring and treatment until they are ready for transfer to an intermediate care unit.
Cardiac Acute Care Unit: The Cardiac Acute Care Unit (CACU) is a 25-bed intermediate care unit located on level 5 within the Heart Institute. Some rooms are private while others are semi-private. CACU is adjacent to the CICU and located near the Market Place Café. CACU provides care for patients who require cardiac monitoring for medical conditions of the cardiovascular system. Patients receive state-of-the-art cardiac care from their healthcare team, including many different types of testing options until they are ready for discharge. Patients and families will be prepared for discharge by a dedicated Discharge Nurse.