Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit Organization and Function: An American Experience

This article describes the organization and function of a university-based neurosurgical intensive care unit. The unit's success has been based in part on its physical structure and in larger part on its organization. Patients are comanaged by a team of neurosurgeons and anesthesiologist intensive care specialists, who receive twice-weekly input from all other participating patient care specialists, including nurses, physical therapists, social workers, and others. This type of approach promotes teamwork and fosters mutual respect among the team. It also improves patient care and, frequently, outcome.