In honor of Cardiovascular Professionals Week (February 12-18), take a moment to learn about one of the key providers of cardiac care in our region.
A dedicated team of caring professionals
Kaleida Health's Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) at Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute (BGMC/GVI) provides state-of-the-art, life-saving care to the Western New York community. The unit’s main focus is open-heart surgery but the doctors and nurses on staff are expertly trained to care for any critically ill patient who has cardiac issues.
According to Unit Manager Karen Amborski MSN, RN, NE-BC, the CVICU averages four open hearts a day, while also providing care to other critically ill cardiac patients and post-op patients who need monitoring and interventions requiring an enhanced skill set.
“The nurses of this unit are highly skilled and our low turnover rate shows they are highly motivated, as well,” said Amborski. “Our staff are extremely caring and always have the patient’s needs in the forefront of all they do on a daily basis.”
Four of the CVICU’s award-winning nurses are involved in the clinical ladder, she said.
“Our department is dedicated to providing quality care in an environment that supports the specialized needs of our unique patient population,” said Amborski.
In addition to open-heart surgeries, other specialty procedures performed by the team’s four cardiothoracic surgeons and support staff include valve replacements, ablasions, ECMOs (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), Impella heart pump procedures and balloon pumps.
Our CVICU team demonstrates a compassionate commitment to delivering the best care for some of the most vulnerable and intensive populations in the health care system. Western New York is lucky to have this dedicated team of professionals looking after their cardiac health.
Photos (top to bottom): Unit Manager Karen Amborski; Some team members; Getting the word out
Facts & figures
Location: Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, 3rd floor, Gates Vascular Institute, 875 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203.
Hours: open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Patient populations: adult patients who meet the established admission criteria. Average daily census is 13. Department capacity is 16 beds. Average unit length of stay is 2.85 days.
Staffing: 62 professionals, consisting of board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, medical assistants, certified medical assistants and unit secretaries. Day-to-day staffing levels are adjusted based on patient census and activity. Additional support may be provided based on patient acuity.
Specialized services: incision care, medications requiring frequent titration, ventilator support, CRRT, hypothermia therapy, Impella support, among others.
Quality initiatives: process improvement activities that address central blood stream infections, urinary catheter-associated infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia.