If you or a loved one is facing a life-threatening condition that requires comprehensive care and constant monitoring, it is important to know that Emerson Hospital has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit (CCU).
Staffed by specialists with advanced training in critical care medicine, this 14-bed unit provides the highest level of care for seriously ill patients aged 14 and older. The CCU is open 24/7.
A team of highly trained specialists
Pulmonologists,
cardiologists and intensivists (what specialists in critical care medicine are called) work collaboratively with our
hospitalists to care for patients in the CCU.
The unit also is staffed around the clock by experienced, highly skilled nurses who have advanced training in critical care, with a consistently high
nurse-to-patient ratio. Other clinical specialists at Emerson Hospital are available for consultations as necessary.
The conditions we care for in the Emerson Hospital CCU
We have the capabilities to care for a wide range of critical conditions, including:
- Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) or unstable angina
- Shock
- Multi-system organ failure
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Respiratory (breathing) or neurologic deterioration
- Ingestion of a potentially toxic substance
- Renal (kidney) failure requiring intensive observation and/or intervention
- Life-threatening endocrine emergencies (such as diabetic ketoacidosis)
- Post-operative recovery when the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is closed
In addition, patients may be admitted to the CCU for therapeutic interventions such as:
- Mechanical ventilation
- Temporary cardiac pacing
- Cardioversion
- Thrombolytic (clot-busting) therapy
- Intravenous infusion of vasoactive agents (medications that dilate blood vessels)
- Acute peritoneal dialysis
Families are an important part of healing
At Emerson Hospital, we recognize that families play an integral role in healing and recovery, and our CCU team makes every effort to ensure they are part of their loved one’s care process. Because patients in the CCU require specialized care, however, visitors should understand that their visit might be interrupted or cut short based on the needs of the patient and our doctors.
