The Cardiac Step-Down Unit (CSU) cares for patients undergoing:
- Cardiac surgery
- Interventional cardiac procedures (angioplasty/stenting)
- Vascular surgery
- Thoracic surgery
- Endovascular procedures
- Cerebrovascular procedures
- or who have a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome
Specially trained nurses work under the direction of physician-approved standardized orders and plans of care. Additionally, patients who have undergone an interventional cardiology procedure, such as angioplasty or stenting, and open-heart surgery patients receive pre- and post-operative education and rehabilitation on this unit.
The Cardiac Step-Down Unit provides holistic patient-centered cardiovascular care and patient and family education.
Team
The multidisciplinary Cardiac Step-Down Unit team at IRMC includes physicians, nurses and support staff.
Physicians specializing in the fields of cardiology, cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology (angioplasty/stents), vascular (arteries/veins) surgery, neurology, pulmonology (lungs) and physicians called hospitalists who practice full-time within the hospital work closely with the nursing and support staff to provide the best plan of care for our special patients. Our highly-skilled Cardiovascular Step Down Unit nurses, monitor techs, primary care technicians, case managers, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, cardiac rehabilitation specialists, dietitians, social workers and pharmacists all work together to provide quality, comprehensive care for patients.
The Mended Hearts Support Group provides volunteers who offer support and information to cardiac patients.
Facility and technology
The CSU features 20 private rooms that are designed to allow patients to have more independence. Families are able to visit for longer periods of time and participate in their loved one's care. The equipment on this unit is typical for the cardiac patient and aids in monitoring patients' vital signs.
Telemetry is the way we monitor the heart rhythm of the cardiac patient on CSU. It is composed of a battery operated monitor box and a 6-lead (wire) system. The patient's heart rhythm is transmitted to a monitoring room that is staffed by a monitor technician who is constantly observing heart rhythms.
Visiting hours
The CSU follows the general hospital visitation policy, however, exceptions are made to the rules should circumstances warrant. A family member may arrange to stay with his or her loved one in special situations with permission.
Contact us
You can reach the Cardiac Step-Down Unit (Rooms 330-357) by calling 772.567.4311, ext. 3015.