Cardiovascular Unit (CVU)

Location:

Swann Tower, 5th Floor

Unit Manager:

Sue Starr, RN

Asst. UM:

Angela Horn, RN

Clinical Educator:

Iris Lawrence, RN

Type of unit:

• Stepdown level, with cardiac focus
• Receive all post-op hearts from CVICU (thru D/C)

Typical nurse to patient ratio:

1:3

Typical pt diagnosis:

Post open-heart surgical patients (private rooms); other cardiac dx -- CHF, post acute MI, unstable angina, pre- and post-heart cath, pre- and post-pacemaker &/or AICD insertion, atrial fibrillation, arrhythmias; most of our population has comorbidities

Common skills utilized:

EKG, chest tubes, pacemakers, ANA skills for cardiology; ACLS; bipap, some drips (i.e., cardizem, amioder, Natrecor), picc lines

Most common meds / those nurses must be familiar with:

Antibiotics, lovenox, heparin, coumadin, atropine, lidocaine, all cardiac meds

Care extenders used:

C.N.A.s, PCTs and Nurse Techs ~ assist with patient’s personal care & needs; we have a volunteer to assist families & friends in waiting area

Selling points for Unit:

Very team oriented. Work closely with other disciplines (EKG, phlebotomy staff, PT, cardiac rehab); have unit-based care manager and ARNP. Great people to work with! Long term staff. Newly renovated floor with all new equipment—beautiful!

Articles about our heart program

Notes on Nursing, Annual Report

Here's to Your Health, Our CV Program

Here's to Your Health, Our CV Surgeons