Patients in the cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Augusta University Medical Center are being moved into a brand-new unit.
The unit opened on Oct. 28 and patients in the old, seven-bed cardiac ICU are being transferred on Nov. 1.
The new unit has 11 addition beds. The rooms are also larger, space that’s vital if a patient needs multiple pieces of life-saving equipment.
“We have room for ECMO, room for a left ventricular assist device, room for ventilators and dialysis equipment,” said Dr. Stephanie Dunlap, director of CVICU.
The 18-bed unit also has new tools for the staff, including a layout that provides a line-of-sight for each room and the monitors connected to the patients.
“A patient with heart problems can be doing very well, and then literally in the blink of an eye, they can have a lethal heart rhythm,” said Dunlap. “So, if the nurses can see the monitors, then they can immediately get up from what they’re doing, walk around the room and start procedures to save the patient’s life.”
Patient families were also considered as the unit was designed. Each room includes a full-sized bathroom and couches that fold out into beds.
“If we have patients from Vidalia or Sandersville, then family doesn’t have to go home. They don’t have to look for a motel. They can spend the night with their family,” Dunlap explained.
Construction was supposed to start in early 2020 but was delayed because of COVID-19. Despite the delay, crews were able to create and equip the new unit in about one year.
Dr. Dunlap said she has a greeting for each patient being transferred from the old unit to the new facilities.
“Welcome. We’re so happy you’re here. And we’re ready.”
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
