In 2002, Winthrop-University Hospital
built the first and only Neuroscience
Special Care Unit on Long Island. In 10
years, this highly specialized unit, dedicated
to caring for patients recovering
from complex neurosurgical procedures
or those with acute neurological problems,
has become the regional leader in
the delivery of advanced, specialized care
for patients.
Members of
Administration,
physicians and staff
from Winthrop’s
Neuroscience
Special Care Unit
recently gathered to
commemorate the
10 year anniversary
of the Unit.
“The Neuroscience Special Care Unit
at Winthrop boasts the most experienced
neurosciences healthcare practitioners on
Long Island,” said Michael Brisman,
MD, Chief of Winthrop’s Division of
Neurosurgery and Co-Director of the
Unit. “Our outstanding team of doctors,
nurses and physician assistants are
experts in treating and managing a wide
range of neurological problems.”
“Very few hospitals nationwide have
separate units dedicated to neurology
and neurosurgery patients such as the
one at Winthrop,” explained Elzbieta
Wirkowski, MD, Co-Director of the
Unit and Director of the Cerebrovascular
Program at Winthrop, adding, “And
studies have shown that patients with
neurological problems who are treated in
a specialized unit have better outcomes
than patients with the same problems
who are treated in a general ICU.”
(Left) Co-Directors of Winthrop’s Neuroscience Special
Care Unit, Elzbieta Wirkowski, MD, Director of the
Cerebrovascular Program at Winthrop, and Michael Brisman,
MD, Chief of Winthrop’s Division of Neurosurgery, whose
vision and leadership was instrumental in establishing this
highly specialized Unit at Winthrop a decade ago.
Proud of their vast achievements and
the countless patients whose lives have
been forever changed by the care they
received while in the Unit, staff members
from the 14-bed Unit recently gathered
to commemorate its 10 year anniversary.
This multidisciplinary team
includes specially trained neurologists,
neurosurgeons, neurointensivists, nurses,
PAs and other caregivers who are
dedicated to preserving the quality of
life for individuals who have suffered
brain trauma. As patients are monitored
around-the-clock, the team is
sensitive to even the most subtle neurological
changes so that any problems
that arise can be addressed quickly and
as a result, improve patient outcomes.
The Unit is also home to the latest
diagnostic tools – including a sophisticated
Doppler system that monitors
blood flow through the vessels of the
brain, electroencephalogram (EEG) and
intracranial pressure monitoring device
– for rapid analysis and intervention.
|
Vol. 22, No. 2
Summer 2012
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|
