RN Intermediate Care Unit

RN - ICU at Temple University Hospital

Intermediate Care unit that will be part of the Float Pool. ICU RN required, patient population will be Med/Surg, PCU, and ICU. Expected ratio is 1:2.

IMCU nurses do not get floated to medsurg units. They float between the IMCU and step-down units. Ratio will never exceed 3:1 on any unit.

IMCU-appropriate diagnoses / conditions Complex withdrawal syndromes -Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) requiring Precedex or other continuous drips -Alcohol withdrawal requiring the MINDS protocol -Patients on Precedex must be hemodynamically stable and demonstrating clinical improvement on the current Precedex dose for > 1 hour before transfer to 3W -Exclusion: active seizure

Hypertensive conditions Some hypertensive urgencies may be managed depending on stability -Exclusions: hypertensive emergency with end-organ threat (e.g., vascular dissection, intracranial hemorrhage)

DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) Can be considered but with tighter monitoring requirements: -Requires insulin infusion and frequent glucose checks (e.g., q3060 minutes) -Exclusion: altered mental status -Important: DKA admissions to the IMCU will not start until 10/1 (anticipated)

General exclusions (patients NOT appropriate for the IMCU) Positive pressure ventilation (BIPAP or ventilator) -Dialysis needs -Arterial lines (A-lines) -Patients requiring Bair Hugger as a continuous therapeutic device (per current protocols)

Assesses, implements, and evaluates care needed by assigned patients under the direction of the licensed physician. The RN is knowledgeable about principles, theories, current methods and techniques of nursing practice. Using the nursing process, the RN collaborates with the patient, patient's family member(s)/significant others, professional peers and other members of the health care team to individualize patient care. Directs nursing support staff in the provision of patient care according to the standards of nursing practice, administrative and departmental policies and procedures. Professional education, training or additional certifications may be required by specialty area.