Strong Heart and Vascular Center

Division of Cardiac Surgery

Patient Education

Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CV-ICU)

Immediately after surgeery you will be taken to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CV-ICU). The CV-ICU is located on the 7th floor, it is also called 7-1600. Following the signs from the red or green elevators will lead to 7-1600. A specialized intensive care nurse will remain at your bedside until you are awake and stable.
 
Each patient’s stay in the CV-ICU varies, however patients generally spend 12 to 24 hours in this unit. When your doctor feels you are making sufficient progress in your recovery, you will be transferred from the CV-ICU to the Post-Cardiac Surgical Unit. You will remain there until you are discharged to go home.
 
Immediately following your surgery, and during your time in the CV-ICU, a variety of equipment may be used during the postoperative period. Click here to find out what types of equipment may be used, and what you can expect.

Also, as with any surgery, you will probably experience some discomfort. Click here to find out what you may experience, and how to prepare for and relieve some of the discomfort.

Visitors in the CV-ICU

Your immediate family will be allowed to visit approximately 30-45 minutes after you have arrived in the CV-ICU. There is a special phone at the entrance to the unit that we ask each visitor to use EVERY TIME a visit is requested. This request is in order to protect the privacy of every patient.
 
The CVICU has open visiting hours except during the times that shift to shift report occurs. This is intended to keep confidential information about the patients private. The family waiting room is located on the 7th floor (Room # 7-2425), where your family may wait between visits. Special visiting requests may be directed to the charge nurse.
 
Please NOTE - NO Visiting from 7 - 9 am, 3 - 4 pm and 7 - 8 pm

Please remember it is important for the patient as well as the family members to get enough rest during this time. Although we welcome your immediate family at the bedside, they may be asked to step out at frequent intervals in order to give patient care with the utmost privacy.
 
You or your family member will also be asked to complete a spokesperson agreement, which will provide the healthcare team with contact numbers of the person to contact for information. The spokesperson will be given a “PIN” number that is used to identify the recipient of information over the phone. We ask that only the designated spokesperson call the unit for information. Federal law referred to as “HIPPA” necessitates these measures.

Please also note that cell phones, fresh flowers, and non-patient food are not permitted in the Intensive Care Units.