Ashtabula County Medical Center | ACMC Pulse | Summer 2018

IN KEEPING with the commitment to make high- quality healthcare accessible in Ashtabula County, Ashtabula County Medical Center (ACMC) has added a four-bed Step-Down Unit (SDU) in the hospital. “The Step-Down Unit can be a bridge between the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the regular Medical/Surgical Unit,” says ACMC Chief Nursing Officer Jacki DiFiore, RN, MSN, MHA. “Patients in the Step-Down Unit are not sick enough for the ICU but still need a higher level of care than on a regular Medical/ Surgical Unit. These patients are still very sick, but they are not sedated or intubated and can interact with caregivers and better participate in their care plan.” Constant monitoring Patients in the Step-Down Unit are typically connected to a cardiac monitor. Their vital signs are taken frequently, and their heart rate, oxygen level, respiration rate and overall condition are constantly monitored. Patients are cared for by nurses who are specially trained. They work side-by-side with critical care physicians, hospitalists, specialty physicians, respiratory therapists and other staff to provide care for the patient. The Step-Down Unit has an added benefit of making more ICU beds available for patients who need that level of care. “Prior to the Step-Down Unit, patients may have had to be transferred to Cleveland for intensive care because our ICU beds were all occupied,” says ACMC Healthcare System President and CEO Michael Habowski. “Now patients who aren’t ready for a regular room but whose condition no longer requires care in the ICU can be ACMC Step-Down Unit: An additional level of care The Step-Down Unit is a bridge between the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the regular Medical/ Surgical Unit. Patients are not sick enough for the ICU but still need a higher level of care. What exactly is a Step-Down Unit? moved to the Step-Down Unit, making an ICU bed available for another patient. Having a loved one in the ICU can be exceptionally stressful. Having them in an ICU away from home adds to that stress. The Step-Down not only helps our patients, but helps their families too.” Hospital news The Step-Down not only helps our patients, but helps their families too. 4 ACMC Pulse  • acmchealth.org