We have had such a busy year in 2019, but we have worked through all the changes as a cohesive team tackling them together while ensuring to live out our mission.
In July, Cardiovascular surgery began after years of planning and training. The entire program of nurses were medical surgical nurses with no prior cardiovascular training. Everyone accepted this challenge with grace and might. YTD - we have completed 86 post-op CABGs and 32 other CV surgeries for 2019! This isn't just a CVICU nurse accomplishment - this is an entire ICU accomplishment. As nurses trained and cared for the 1:1 CVICU patient, the other nurses also had to raise their game to care for all of the other patient populations. ICU has seen a steady increase in acuity over the past two years with STEMI go live and now CV patients. We are caring for patients that would have been transferred to Orlando campus just a year ago.
This December we have "completed" renovations and remodeling in the ICU. For the past two years, we have been under construction while occupying the space with critical patients. We have been displaced, moved, moved again, and struggled through never having anything in the same place for more than a week's time. Our team has worked tirelessly to maintain standards, experience, and clinical metrics despite the discomfort.
2019 was the year for certifications - we have had 19 CCRN certifications! This truly was a group effort and embraced/celebrated by everyone.
I am super proud of our team, the work that has been accomplished, and the care delivered. They are truly a remarkable bunch of people who come together daily to make an awesome team! They are truly DAISY worthy.