You At Your Best

sPONsOR CONTENT Washington Regional Medical System is the only not-for-profit, community-owned and locally governed health care system in Northwest Arkansas. The system's comprehensive health care network employs over 3,200 people and consists of a 425-bed medical center and over 55 clinic locations. Washington Regional's mission is to improve the health of people in the communities it serves through compassionate, high-quality care, prevention and wellness education. Washington Regional is home to the region's only Level II Trauma Center, Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit and Neuroscience Institute, which are staffed with experts in stroke neurology, neurosurgery, interventional neuroradiology and interventional pain management, providing the area's most comprehensive care for conditions and injuries of the brain and spine. As the area's only Comprehensive Stroke Center, a prestigious designation granted by The Joint Commission, Washington Regional is prepared to treat the most complex stroke cases, including 24/7 in-person care with stroke specialists. Washington Regional also offers the area's only minimally invasive stroke treatment options and advanced neurosurgical care. Washington Regional's Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit features 20 beds to serve patients who are recovering from surgery due to a spinal cord injury, brain injury, neurological illness such as epilepsy, or brain events such as stroke. From a specially trained care team to the most advanced technology, everything in the unit is designed to accommodate the unique intensive care needs of neurological-neurosurgical patients. Neurosurgical ICU Director Kasha Pinkerton, MSN, RN, SCRN, CNL, says, "Our nurses are highly trained and strictly focused on our stroke population, and focus on giving a full spectrum of care." Nurses in the Neurosurgical ICU are specially trained in techniques for examining the brain and central nervous system. "When caring for patients after neurological surgery, it's important to be aware of intracranial pressure and how the brain controls blood flow. This patient population is very delicate and requires constant monitoring," Pinkerton explains. In addition to the specialized medical equipment typically found in an intensive care unit – such as ventilators and cardiac telemetry machines – the Neurosurgical ICU provides advanced neurological tools such as continuous electroencephalography, a non-invasive method of monitoring and recording electrical activity of the brain. Neurosurgical ICU nurses also work with an interdisciplinary care team from departments throughout the hospital. "We work closely alongside physicians, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dietitians and pharmacists to make sure patients receive that full spectrum of care throughout the entire stay at the hospital," Pinkerton says. "Along with specialized skills, it requires a holistic approach involving all areas to provide optimal care for neurosurgical patients." The nursing unit features dimmable lights in all patient care areas, specialized ceiling-mounted patient lifts for turning and repositioning patients, bedside monitors and a nurse call system that helps identify patients with certain risk factors. Washington Regional is currently adding to its Neurosurgical ICU care team. Help us achieve our vision to be the best place to receive care and the best place to give care. For more information on career opportunities in the Neurosurgical ICU, visit www.wregional.com/jobs. A look inside Northwest Arkansas' only Neurosurgical intensive care unit Grow your nursing career at Washington Regional Washington Regional nurses play a vital role in our mission to improve the health of people in communities we serve through compassionate, high quality care, prevention and wellness education. Washington Regional Medical Center offers its nurses a unique in-house nursing education department, including an American Heart Association Training Center, scholarship and tuition assistance programs and opportunities to participate in various nurse leadership groups. Washington Regional's RN Residency program provides newly graduated registered nurses with a focused orientation program including interdepartmental education and training as well as extra unit-specific focused content. More information about Washington Regional's RN Residency program is available by contacting: Samantha Bowman, PhD, CHES RN Residency Program Manager 479-463-6815 Sbowman1@wregional.com Visit wregional.com/jobs for more information about Washington Regional and to browse current job opportunities. sUNDay, aPRIL 26, 2020 | May - #THaNkaNURsE NWaDG.COM/yOUaTyOURBEsT | yOU aT yOUR BEsT | 13

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