Progress continues on Acuity Adjustable Patient Care Unit

The UC Brain Tumor Center team, along with other colleagues in the UC Neuroscience Institute and UC Health University Hospital, is making progress on plans to renovate the current dialysis unit on the neuroscience floor of University Hospital to an acuity adjustable unit designed to care for brain tumor patients across the continuum of care. Specifically, the unit is being designed for post-operative brain tumor patients, brain tumor patients who develop post-operative complications after discharge, and direct brain tumor patient admissions from outside hospitals.  In addition, the unit will serve elective neurosurgical patients post-operatively from chiari decompression, microvascular decompression and aneurysm clipping.

The acuity adjustable patient care unit concept was first used in cardiac surgery. Post-operative cardiac patients, such as open heart or heart transplant patients, are critical in the immediate post-operative period. Then, over a few days, the acuity typically decreases. This is similar to the hospital course of brain tumor patients. The acuity adjustable unit room is capable of providing the type of care the patient needs – from intense critical care on day one (ability to monitor gases, vital signs, ICP), to step-down status and finally to standard acute care (ability to provide as much self care as possible).

The acuity adjustable unit concept has proven effective in several different aspects related to patients, providers and family:

• Patient Care Approach
  Brings the level of care to the patient
• Patient Safety
  Decreases in falls because of family involvement and increases visualization of patient rooms from decentralized nursing station
• Communication
  Decreases communication/medication errors by keeping patient in one room
• Family Involvement
  Encourages family to be active members of patient’s care by having separate family zone in patient room
• Staff 
  Increases productivity through decentralized nursing stations
• Cost 
  Decreases nursing FTE cost because of acuity-based patient ratios
• Patient
  Features designated area primarily for patient including patient adjustable bed capable of ICU (full monitoring of gases, vital signs, etc.) or acute care, patient computer, own bathroom
• Family 
  Features designated area for family to rest/sleep while patient is doing the same. Allows privacy for patient and family. May have separate TV. Includes a pull-out couch and chairs that look like they belong in your home
• Staff 
  Includes work area for staff with computer;  "Computer On Wheels" concept

Next Steps

The plans for the unit have been approved. Currently, University Hospital administration is working to locate alternative space for the dialysis unit that is currently occupying the space. Once this occurs, the construction phase will begin and continue for approximately four months.

Many thanks to Amy Diamond, Community Advisory Board member, who is participating on our planning team. We will provide another update at our June board meeting.

Wine Tasting Reminders!

As you know, our first fundraising event is quickly approaching. We would like to ensure that this event is a success.  Please review the action items below. We need your help to ensure that the event is a success:

• Each member commit to attending the Wine Tasting Event
• Each member commit to bringing four guests in addition to yourself and your spouse/significant other
• Make checks for auction and tickets  payable to “UC Foundation”
• All donations need to be submitted by Wednesday March 31, 2010
• If donating wines to auction, please make arrangements with Kimbaird Avant, 513.558.8646, to drop off  auction items

See you there!

Sincerely,

Kathy Beechem, Chair
Community Advisory Board