Nursing Information

The DMH Heart and Lung Institute is located on the second floor. Services include Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Vascular Lab, Stress Testing, as well as other Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Diagnostic studies.

Continuing Education:
A minimum of one year of Critical Care experience preferred for RNs in the Heart Center and Cath Lab. RNs are required to have Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Some of the other required skills are arrhythmia interpretation, care of pacemakers, conscious sedation and care of arterial lines.

Decatur Digestive Disease Center

Located on the first floor of Physicians Plaza West, this 6-bed ambulatory surgery center provides endoscopy procedures for adult outpatients. Two procedure rooms are provided for the Gastroenterologist to perform endoscopy services. The RN functions in pre-, peri-, and postoperative care of the patient by coordinating admissions and discharges.

In our new state-of-the-art Emergency Care Center we have 26 multifunctional patient care rooms. For the convenience of the patient, each room has a telephone, a TV, and a private bathroom. To expedite care, every room is equipped to take care of any patient type- from the most complex to the most simple complaint.

Our computerized documentation system- and patient tracking board allows health care providers from all disciplines (lab, radiology, nursing, physicians, etc. ) to have real-time information on patient status and the status of diagnostic studies and inpatient room availability.

6Sigma has been utilized to streamline processes within the department to decrease the time from patient arrival to the time first seen by a physician. Satisfaction scores have improved as a result of this and other endeavors we have undertaken to meet the expectations of our patients. Process redesign has impacted lab turn around time as well. A radiology suite with a CT dedicated to the emergency department patients is located just across the hall from the new department. This expedites radiology studies for our patients.

Because of the variety of patient care needs, staff must maintain expertise in trauma, neurology, cardiology, pediatric skills, among other competencies. Certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course, basic arrhythmia, and Trauma Nursing Core Course are just a few of the required courses- all are available through the DMH Education department or in the Emergency Care Center.

Located on the first floor, DMH’s Endoscopy Department contains 6 pre- and postoperative bays. Four procedure rooms accommodate multi physician use for endoscopy procedures. The RN functions in pre-, peri-, and postoperative care of the patient by coordinating admissions and discharges.

Continuing Education: ACLS & Sedation-Analgesia

Home Health Nursing

At DMH, we understand the importance of being at home. By encompassing Home Care, Hospice, and Medical Equipment, DMH Home Health Services cares for nearly 450 Home Care patients and 35 to 40 Hospice patients every day. Home Health is on-call 24 hours a day, insuring that the proper care is always available.

Medical Intensive Care Nursing

Highly motivated, self-directed, and flexible. These characteristics best describe an intensive care nurse. Pulmonary artery catheters, intercranial pressure monitoring, and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy are just a few of the unique procedures performed. Medical Intensive Care has 22 beds. Intensive Care takes care of disease processes of all kinds from cardiac, pulmonary, renal, surgical and trauma patients. In addition, we have a unit based Clinical Nurse Specialist to assist with your educational needs and provide support for all your nursing questions.

In addition to local workshops and continuing education provided by DMH, the Intensive Care Department encourages and supports education toward obtaining national certification as a CCRN. DMH will provide the educational classes and text, as well as pay for you to sit for your exam. Upon obtaining your CCRN, you will receive financial compensation on the clinical ladder. Orientation for Intensive Care is a 12-week process that develops critical thinking skills and the use of technology.

Medical Nursing

DMH’s 70-bed Medical Nursing Unit provides a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Unit based personnel from pharmacy, dietary, case management, and respiratory work in conjunction with nursing to provide the best patient care possible. Care is delivered with a team-nursing model made up of a RN, LPN and Nurse Aide. The Medical Unit also cares for Intermediate Care level patients. Additionally, nurses will have the opportunity to assist with bedside procedures involving chest tubes, central venous lines, thoracentesis, paracentesis, and lumbar punctures.

Nurses are encouraged to take advantage of the many educational opportunities at DMH. Orientation on the Medial Unit is 6-8 weeks involving classes and clinical experiences under the guidance of a preceptor. To prepare you for the Intermediate Level patient you will receive training in arrhythmia interpretation and advanced drug competencies. Additionally, the Medical Unit has a Clinical Nurse Specialist to assist you with all your educational needs and provide support for all your nursing questions.

Obstetrical Nursing

Each Year, Decatur Memorial Hospital welcomes 1,200 little bundles of joy. The Obstetrics unit includes 18 post-op beds, nine LDRP (Labor Delivery Recovery Postpartum) rooms and two surgical suites -- one designated for caesarian sections and the other for gynecological surgeries. In addition to our 16-bed Level I nursery, our four-bed Level II cares for babies needing a higher level of care.

Continuing Education:
Fetal monitoring, neonatal resuscitation, and neonatal stabilization classes.

Orthopaedic Nursing Unit - DMH Bone and Joint Connection

The Orthopaedic Nursing Unit is a newly remodeled 32 bed unit dedicated to caring for patients who have had total joint replacements, upper extremity surgeries, fractures, or other orthopaedic injuries. We utilize the multidisciplinary approach focused on providing the best in orthopaedic care. Registered Nurses coordinate the plan of care in collaboration with team members including the patient, family, physician, rehabilitation services, and case managers. Our goal is the minimize disability and to maximize independence.

Pediatric Nursing

Our bright and cheerful newly remodeled 16-bed Pediatric Unit cares for patient's ages of newborn to 18. We have five cardiac monitored beds for special care patients needing close observation. Our average daily census is 10 patients a day. We also have a program called Kid Kare where we will take employees sick children and care for them while their parents are at work. Our staff is highly skilled in working with all different age groups and diagnoses. All of our RN's are trained in Pediatric Advance Life Support and are code certified. Pediatrics is a fun and enthusiastic place to work for the child in all of us.

Continuing Education:
Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

Post Anesthesia Nursing

Located within the hospital's busy surgery department, the Post Anesthesia Care Unit has 18 monitored beds plus four satellite PACU’s.

Continuing Education:
Several advanced competencies are required for nurses working in the PACU unit. Also, prior critical care nursing experience is preferred.

Surgery

Located on the first floor, DMH's Surgery Department continues to accommodate ever-increasing volume with 15 major operating rooms and two open-heart operating rooms. The RN primarily functions in the circulating role and assesses and manages patient care through the procedure. The RN may also serve in the First Assistant role after specialized training. Previous operating room experience is not required, but is preferred. Same Day Surgery is located adjacent to the Surgery Department and consists of 12 pre-op beds and 21 post-operative beds. The pre-op nurse admits the patient and initiates venipuncture prior to the procedure. Post operatively, the nurse monitors vital signs and prepares the patient for discharge.

Surgical Nursing

The Surgical Nursing Unit offers a variety of challenging and rewarding opportunities for the new and experienced nurse. Using a team concept, nurses collaborate with physicians to provide quality patient care. DMH's Surgical Nursing Unit has an average daily census of 45 dedicated to oncology patients, surgical patients and neurological patients. The Surgical Unit is planning to open a neurological unit with a 4-bed observation area for monitoring patients.

Continuing Education:
With the oncology unit requiring specially trained nurses, this offers another avenue for variety and continuing education on the Surgical Nursing Unit. There are a variety of patient types, nasogastric tubes, vascular access devices, apnea monitors, epidural catheters and DASH monitors used by our Surgical nursing staff. Neuro classes are being held on alternate Fridays by neurosurgeons and neurologists to educate staff who will be working the neurological unit. Additional continuing education offered through DMH and other off-campus programs are encouraged.

Transitional Care

Transitional Care is a 40-bed, skilled nursing unit that cares for mostly geriatric patients. With such varying diagnoses the staff develops strong ties to medical and surgical patients. And since our length of stay is longer than other hospital nursing units, our nurses develop a strong rapport with patients and their families. Our multi disciplinary team approach enhances quality of life for patients.

Continuing Education:
The staff needs to have a working knowledge of available community resources. Continuing education is strongly encouraged.

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