The Ochsner Neurocritical Care Unit (NCC) at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans marks its 10th anniversary of providing highly specialized and award-winning care to patients with complex neurological needs.
In 2010, the Ochsner Neurosciences Institute recognized a need for a hospital unit that could treat patients recovering from stroke, brain and spine surgery, and other serious neurological disorders. At its inception, NCC had only six beds. Today, the unit has increased nearly sevenfold, and now boasts 40 beds to treat patients from Louisiana and across the Gulf South. It is the largest and most established critical care unit of its kind in the state, with seven neurointensivists — a highly specialized physician that treats life-threatening diseases of the nervous system and prevents secondary brain injury —14 advanced practice providers and more than 120 nurses all extensively trained in caring for critically ill patients.
Ochsner’s NCC serves as a major referral center, equipped to handle some of the most acute, complex cases. In 2019 alone, the unit treated more than 2,000 patients.
“As one of the largest units of our kind in the country, the Ochsner Neurocritical Care Unit’s staff has a high level of expertise,” said Vivek Sabharwal, MD, chair of the Ochsner Neurocritical Care Department. “We have seen and treated nearly every type of neurological disease and injury. Over the past 10 years, we have experienced not only tremendous growth, but also exemplary patient outcomes that are among the best in the United States.”
The Ochsner NCC has a history of strong outcomes that translates into actual patient lives saved. Using a nationally accepted critical care mortality prediction tool, Ochsner NCC has saved over 400 lives since 2017 in comparison to the average critical care unit. With the volume of patients and families impacted by this care, Ochsner NCC continues to be the preeminent center for severe neurological conditions in the Gulf South. This care includes the NCC team working collaboratively with Ochsner’s team of 12 neurosurgeons, six vascular (stroke) neurologists, six epileptologists and more than 20 additional neurologists.
“One of the hallmarks of our neurosciences services at Ochsner is our seamless continuation of care,” Sabharwal explained. “From diagnosis in our emergency department or clinical setting, to surgery and recovery in neurocritical care, our physicians, surgeons and nursing staff are in constant contact and consult with one another and with you every step of the way on the journey to recovery.”