title: NICU-the "I" stands for integrated.
abstract: NICU stands for Neuro Integrated Care Unit. With the integration philosophy, from the time of admission the patients remain in the NICU even though their status and priority change, until they are ready for discharge home or discharge to a rehabilitation unit. This integration enhances patient satisfaction and decreases length of stay by providing consistent caregivers who have expertise in critical care nursing as well as neuroscience nursing. The interdisciplinary teamwork done in the NICU eliminates the fragmented process that can occur when patients are transferred to several units. The NICU is a unique design that works well in this community hospital.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Education Department at Lakewood Hospital, Lakewood, OH, USA. brevta@lkwh.org
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Revta
mesh_terms: D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009462:Neurology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D015397:Program Evaluation