The Intensive Care Unit is part of the Anaesthetics and Theatres Directorate. The Unit is led by Clinical Lead Dr Barry Sellick.
Intensive Care Unit at St Peter’s Hospital
The 8 bedded, purpose build air conditioned unit opened in July 1998. The unit admits acute admissions directly from a busy Accident and Emergency Department, which is nominated as an emergency centre for the busiest section of the M25 motorway which is only 5 minutes away. General medical and surgical admissions are the majority of our patents. Additionally, private patients from a number of local private hospitals are admitted for either ventilation/multi system failure support or for high dependency nursing. Renal replacement therapy is performed using Gambro automated CVVHDF. E grade staff nurses who complete the ENB 100 course are seconded to local dialysis centres to develop their clinical skills. The unit incorporates a paediatric cubicle, providing high dependency care. Any paediatric patient requiring intensive care and ventilation are stabilised before transfer to a tertiary paediatric centre in London.
Visiting Times
Visiting times are normally flexible for family and close friends. For safety reasons we usually restrict the number of visitors around a patient to two at the bedside at any one time.
The best time for routine visiting is often the afternoon or early evening. We recommend routine visiting between 14:30-19:30. Doctors' rounds and procedures such as X-rays are often carried out in the morning so you may be asked to leave your relative's bedside temporarily. We have a patient rest period from 12.00 - 14.30 as too many visitors can be tiring for critically ill patients.
Transfer Team
An ICU transfer team is based at St Peter’s Hospital to transfer patients between the 2 units safely. The team comprises of a nurse and anaesthetist and transfers approximately 3 patient per week. In the future this team will also retrieve patients transferred to the Trust via the Emergency Bed System. A transfer education programme is run to provide staff with the necessary skills to undertake this role.
Model of Nursing
The units practice team nursing, with the teams headed up by a charge nurse or sister, supported by two senior staff nurses. All of the teams are responsible for developing practice to benefit the units and patient care e.g. protocol setting, moving and handling assessment tool. Team meetings are held on a regular basis to facilitate discussion and to disseminate information.
Education
The units have a dedicated teaching sister and a D grade education programme providing vital support for ward nurses transferring to intensive care. ENB courses 100, 124, 920, 988 and higher education are actively supported. ALS, PALS and a number of internal Trust development courses are also available. Mentorship and clinical supervision are in operation to support D and E grade nurses.
Student Nurses
Ashford Hospital supports diploma and degree student nurses who are studying with Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College. St Peter’s Hospitals supports diploma and degree student nurses who are studying with the European Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey.
The Trust also supports students participating in post-registration diploma, degree and ENB courses and overseas nurses undertaking a period of supervised practice prior to registration with the UKCC. Health care assistants are facilitated to complete NVQ levels II and III.
The wards at St Peter’s Hospital also support Ministry of Defence Medical Assistant Students undertaking clinical placements. The ward staff are assisted to support all students by two Practice Development Sisters.
Commitment to New Staff
All new employees have a mentor during the initial stages of their employment.
A personalised induction/orientation programme is developed between you and your mentor.
The Trust Induction is a 4 day programme which includes a professional nursing day, manual handling and resuscitation.
A personal professional development plan will be agreed you and your mentor to ensure that you gain the experience required and have the opportunity to pursue any areas of development.
