Medical services

Intensive Care

Yale-New Haven Hospital has six adult intensive-care units, all of which provide specialized care, treatment and monitoring of critically ill patients.

For children, Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital provides pediatric intensive care. Newborns are cared for in the children hospital's Newborn Special Care Unit.

Cardiothoracic ICU (CTICU)

• 18-bed facility designed especially for patients having open heart or lung surgery, heart transplant surgery, valve replacement or repair or placement of ventricular assist devices.
• Comprised of highly specialized staff members, cardiothoracic surgeons and thoracic surgeons.

Visiting policy
Five 10-minute visits are allowed each hour in the immediate postoperative period with a limit of two to three family members per visit.

Family and patient support
Cardiac surgery support groups and informational groups are available for both patients and their families. Call the social worker on staff for details: (203) 688-3218.

• For more information about the CTICU, call
  (203) 688-2430.
• Location: West Pavilion 3rd floor
• For more information on all of Yale-New Haven's cardiac services visit the Yale-New Haven Heart Center.

Surgical ICU (SICU)

• 14-bed unit serving surgical patients with both chronic and acute illnesses for trauma; vascular; ear, nose and throat; urology; gynecology/oncology; maternal high risk; orthopedic; plastic; and general surgery.
• The SICU strives to stay on the leading edge of medical advancement using antibiotic-coated catheters to reduce blood stream infections and a “site finder” instrument that increases the safety of inserting central lines.
• A physician board-certified in intensive care is always present and all of the registered nurses are trained in critical care nursing and certified in advanced cardiac support.

Visiting policy
Visitors are allowed at any time of the day. The number of visitors at the bedside as well as the time spent at the bedside is at the discretion of the patient's nurse.

Family and patient support
The unit's interdiscipline team meets weekly to review patient cases and serves as a resource to patients and their families who require supportive services.

• For more information about the SICU, call
  (203) 688-6824.
• Location: South Pavilion 6th floor

Neurosurgical ICU (Neuro ICU)

• 14-bed facility that cares for patients who have suffered stroke, traumatic brain and spine injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, aneurysm, autoimmune and movement disorders (Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Gullian-Barre, etc.) and neurological disorders. Patients in the unit are closely monitored for subtle neurological changes.
• The medical staff is comprised of neurologists, neurosurgeons and highly specialized staff members.
• The Neuro ICU is an active participant in stroke and brain tumor research.

Visiting policy
Visitors are allowed in the unit throughout the day, but may be asked to step out at the discretion of the patient's nurse.

Family and patient support
A brain tumor support group is available in addition to neuro ICU literature published in both English and Spanish.

• For more information about the Neuro ICU, call
  (203) 688-2341.
• Location: South Pavilion 6th floor

Medical ICU (MICU)

• 14-bed facility that serves critically ill patients with a wide variety of medical problems and their complications. The unit cares for patients whose lives are in immediate jeopardy or whose clinical condition necessitates specialized nursing and technology.
• Comprised of two MICU teams, each consisting of a medical staff highly specialized in critical care.

Visiting policy
Visiting hours are 24 hours a day, seven days a week, usually two visitors at a time. Visiting hours for specific patients are at the discretion of the patient's nurse.

Family and patient support
The MICU team includes social workers, dietitians, care coordinators and a unit chaplain from Religious Ministries.

• For more information about the MICU, call
  (203) 688-2406.
• Location: South Pavilion 5th floor

Transplant ICU (TICU)

• 8-bed facility that provides special care for patients undergoing liver, pancreas and kidney transplant.
• A medical staff trained in critical care and certified in advanced cardiac life support is always available.
• The Transplant ICU is the newest ICU at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Visiting policy
Visitors are allowed throughout the day at the discretion of the nursing staff.

Family and patient support

• A full time social worker is available to patients and their families.
• For more information about the TICU, call:
  (203) 688-4457.
• Location: South Pavilion 7th floor

Cardiac ICU (CICU)

• 14-bed facility for adult cardiac patients with life-threatening critical illness, particularly acute myocardial infarction/cardiac ischemia, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, cardiac arrhythmia.
• The unit supports patients through diagnostic procedures such as cardiac catherization, electrophysiology studies and invasive devices such as pacemakers, intra-aortic balloon pumps and left ventricular assist devices. The unit also provides drug-eluting stents and brachytherapy.
• Comprised of a highly specialized team of critical care nurses and cardiologists.

Visiting policy
Visitors are allowed 24 hours a day, two visitors at a time per patient.

Family and patient support
Complementary therapy programs are available including Reiki, therapeutic massage, aroma therapy and music therapy. There is also a bereavement program.

• For more information about the CICU, contact
  (203) 688-2176.
• Location: South Pavilion 5th floor

Return to the YNHH medical services page

Last revised: July 30, 2005 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.