University Hospital provides the specialized round-the-clock intensive care that’s vital when you’re facing a serious neurological injury or disease. Our Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit is staffed with the area’s most exceptional critical care specialists, dedicated to helping you reach the highest level of recovery possible.
The Neuro ICU at University Hospital has the area’s only neurocritical team trained in neurointensive care. We care for a wide variety of patients with critical neurologic disorders including:
When You Need Intensive Neurological Care
Our neurocritical care unit provides expert care when you’re critically ill due to a brain or spine disorder or when you need monitoring after surgery. You may need neurointensive care during an overnight stay after an elective surgery or for a longer stay after a serious disease or injury.
You may be admitted to the Neuro ICU when you need frequent neurological exams and monitoring while on a ventilator (breathing machine), a brain pressure monitor or if you have unstable vital signs.
Care Team
The University Hospital Neuro ICU team has the specialized training and experience to provide the advanced care you need. Our Neuro ICU has San Antonio's only neurocritical team staffed with neurointensivists—doctors with training in neurology, neurosurgery, emergency medicine, anesthesia, surgery or internal medicine—who have completed an additional one to two years of specialized training in neurocritical care.
Our neurocritical care team also includes:
- Neurosurgeons
- Neurologists
- Neuroscience-trained nurses
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants
- Specialized pharmacists
- Respiratory, physical, speech and occupational therapists
- Dietitians
- Social workers
- Case managers
Commitment
Neurological conditions involving the brain and spine also affect other areas of your body. You can expect state-of-the-art, integrated care that focuses on treating the whole body, not just your injury or disease.
You can be confident in our commitment to provide the level of care you expect. We’re South Texas’ first hospital to earn Magnet status—a prestigious designation awarded only to health care providers with a proven track record for providing excellent care and positive outcomes.
As a nationally recognized teaching hospital through our partnership with UT Health San Antonio, you can also expect the latest treatment options and new technologies, backed by clinical research.
Communication
Consistent, accessible communication—within our care team and with your family—is a vital part of comprehensive, advanced care. Our team communicates with one another, you and your family to closely monitor and discuss treatment and progress through:
- Nursing reports — At 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. shift changes, nurses discuss details about your condition and care.
- Neurosurgery team rounds — Neurosurgeons see all of their patients, including those in neuro critical care, beginning at 6 a.m. each day.
- Neuro ICU team rounds — Our team sees and examines every patient each day, assessing progress and discussing any recommendations needed to keep healing on track.
- Family meetings — You, your family and our Neuro ICU care team – usually your doctors, nurses, a social worker and case manager – will meet regularly to discuss progress and continued treatment plans.
- Electronic medical records — All details of your care, including test results, procedures and medication are shared in real time with every provider involved in your care through the most advanced electronic medical record system in the area.