Neuro Intensivists
Neuro Intensivists: Specialized Care and Treatment
The UNC Health Rex Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (Neuro-ICU) is a specialized 10 bed unit dedicated to the expert medical and surgical management of critically ill patients with brain and spinal disorders.
Distinguished as one of the few neuro-intensive care units in North Carolina and the sole unit in Wake County, our facility is staffed by full-time, board-certified neurointensivists who have undergone specialized training in both neurological and medical intensive care.
Our Multidisciplinary Team
Our team of neurointensivists delivers round-the-clock, state-of-the-art intensive care for patients with a spectrum of neurological and neurosurgical conditions, encompassing seizure disorders, strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and aneurysms. To ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients, our physicians harness cutting-edge technology for monitoring and guiding therapeutic interventions.
The nature of neurological intensive care necessitates a high level of expertise and coordinated efforts among various specialists. Each patient we attend to receives compassionate, collaborative care from our accomplished team, which includes:
- Neurointensivists
- Neurologists
- Neurosurgeons
- Critical care medicine physicians
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants
- Registered nurses
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Pharmacists
- Patient care assistants
- Dietitians
- Respiratory therapists
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech therapists
- Social workers
In the neuro-ICU, the neurointensivist assumes the primary role in managing the patient’s care. We prioritize a holistic approach to patient well-being, aiming to provide integrated care that considers not only the neurological aspects but also the broader context of the patient’s overall health.
Our commitment to clinical and translational research further enhances our capacity to deliver top-tier neurocritical care.
Services Provided and Conditions Treated
- Acute ischemic stroke
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Cerebral aneurysm
- Cerebrovascular malformations
- Cerebral venous thrombosis
- Coma
- Encephalopathy
- Hydrocephalus
- Cerebral edema
- Intercranial pressure monitoring
- Brain tumors
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Acute spine injury
- Seizures (prolonged or continuous)
- Status Epilepticus
- Severe or deteriorating demyelinating illness
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Spinal infection
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- Neuromuscular disorders including Myasthenia gravis crisis
- Autonomic instability
Why Choose Our Neuro Intensivist Team?
Neurological conditions present intricate challenges that demand the expertise of specialists adept at utilizing advanced neuromonitoring, neuroimaging, and critical care methodologies tailored to the unique requirements of neurological patients.
In the aftermath of neurological injuries or neurosurgical procedures, immediate and specialized intensive care is paramount in enhancing patient outcomes. The UNC Rex Neuroscience ICU unites a team of highly trained physicians and nurses with cutting-edge technology, all focused on addressing life-threatening neurological conditions.
Research has shown that patients with neurological disorders admitted to a neuro-ICU under the guidance of board-certified neurointensivists experience improved outcomes, shorter hospital stays, and reduced overall healthcare expenses compared to those treated in a general ICU environment.
The neurointensivist assumes a central role in ICU care, consolidating various aspects of treatment that would otherwise necessitate the involvement of multiple subspecialists, including neurologists, pulmonologists, cardiologists, and endocrinologists. Close collaboration is maintained with neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neurologists, otolaryngologists, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare providers.
Our neurointensivists’ exceptional training, coupled with the state-of-the-art technology available in the neuro-ICU, empowers us to deliver world-class, compassionate, and comprehensive care to our valued patients.
