The Brain and Spine Institute is made up of experts in the field of neuroscience in order to bring patients the best healthcare in East Tennessee for a full range of neurological diseases and disorders.
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Centers of Excellence
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We provide a comprehensive continuum of cancer services, including prevention, outreach, diagnostic, treatment and support services delivered by our highly skilled staff with compassion and care.
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The Center for Women & Children's Health is a hub for supporting women's and children's individual healthcare needs. The center provides support, research and unmatched patient-centered care.
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Emergency and Trauma Services is the only Level I Trauma Center in the area and serves as the tertiary referral center for medical care in East Tennessee, serving Knox County and 21 surrounding counties.
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The Heart Lung Vascular Institute brings together expertise in clinical care, teaching and research. Patients receive exceptional healthcare combined with patient-centered care.
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Heart Lung Vascular
Heart, Lung and Vascular Nursing Units
Teresa Levey, MSN, RN
Vice President
865.305.9458
Location: Suite 110, Heart Lung Vascular Institute
Dana Whittle
Nurse Recruiter
Heart, lung and vascular nursing areas include the following.
Cardiac Cath Lab
Cardiovascular Intensive Care
Comprehensive Cardiovascular Care
Medical / Interventional Cardiology
Neuro and Stroke Unit
Pulmonary Medicine
Vascular Surgery & Transplant Unit
Nurse Manager - Julie Harkins, BSN, RN
865.305.9064
The University of Tennessee Medical Center’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab is a multidisciplinary department, providing cardiac services for inpatient and outpatient population from neonate through geriatric. The Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Center performs more than 5,700 procedures each year. It provides 24-hour access to life-saving procedures, while implementing the newest technology to improve patient outcomes. It also is the only facility in the Knoxville area providing catheterization for patients with congenital heart disease. Adult and pediatric cardiologists perform lifesaving procedures as well as improve the quality of life for patients of all ages.
Procedures include evaluation and treatment for the following.
- Angina
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Dyspnea
- High Blood Pressure
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Renal Stenosis
- Thromboembolic disease
- Valvular Heart Disease
The following are the available testing services.
- Adult right and left Cardiac Catheterization
- Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization
- Temporary Pacemakers
- Intravascular Ultrasounds
- Myocardial biopsy
- Peripheral-renal angiogram
- Radi-pressure wire
- Transesophageal Echo (TEE)
Interventional procedures that are offered.
- Stent-coronary-renal-peripheral
- Rotational Atherectomy
- Atrial Septal Devices
- Patent Foramen ovale Closure
- Balloon Valvuloplasty
- Pericardiocentesis
- Angio-jet-Thrombectomy
- Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty
In keeping with UT Medical Center tradition of teaching and research, the Cardiac Catheterization Lab is participating in multiple research studies. It is participating in two, phase III pharmaceutical trials for an innovative IV platelet antagonist medication for patients requiring an intervention for coronary artery disease.
The Cardiac Catheterization Lab also strives to maximize resources to allow for the highest level of patient education. It provides direct patient education, “Skylight Videos,” Cardiac Rehab Phases I and II, outreach for women, and it emphasizes the importance of taking prescribed medications to maintain cardiac health.
Nurse Manager - Sandra Webb, MPH, RN
The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) is an 18-bed unit that serves as the flagship intensive care component of the Heart Lung Vascular Institute. The patient population consists predominantly of patients who are immediately post open heart surgery (both CABG and valve replacement), thoracotomies, aortic aneurysm repair, acute myocardial infarction and any other medical or post-surgical cardiac condition requiring intensive hemodynamic monitoring and intervention. We work collaboratively with cardiologists, cardio-thoracic surgeons and vascular surgeons in order to provide the best possible care for our patients. CVICU is a fast-paced unit with a rapid turnover of patients, resulting in an ever changing patient population.
Comprehensive Cardiovascular CareNurse Manager - Jada Bates, BSN, RN
865.305.6007
Location: 7 East
CCVU is a 30-bed telemetry unit, located on the 7th floor of the East Pavilion, offering patients the most up-to-date treatments and innovations in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery procedures available.
As an integral component of the Heart Lung Vascular Institute, CCVU serves as a step-down unit for the CVICU, providing collaborative care for post open heart surgery (both CABG and Valve), Mini-Maze, VATS as well as other post surgical cardiovascular and thoracic procedures. Our patient population is not limited to post surgical care; based on demand and request, we serve other monitored patients requiring cardiac diagnostic test, treatments, infusions and observation, including patients with congestive heart failure.
Our expert staff is committed to delivering the highest quality of healthcare to a very high acuity patient population and frequently receive praise for providing excellent care with an extra special touch. We truly function with golden opportunities at the heart of leading-edge technology, research and education in collaboration with our cardio-thoracic surgeons, cardiologists and other physicians as well as a multidisciplinary patient management team. Last but not least, we recognize and value patient satisfaction as the very “heartbeat of our care.”
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Nurse Manager - Laura Russell-Harper, BSN, RN
865.305.6008
Location: 8 East
The Medical / Interventional Cardiology Unit is a 30-bed unit specializing in the care of patients with coronary artery disease requiring medical management and/or interventional treatment. The unit provides acute nursing care, including ongoing assessment, cardiac monitoring and dysrhythmia recognition, medication administration and cardioversion.
Our staff maintains a close relationship with the Cardiac Catheterization Lab in order to accommodate the increasing volume of patients undergoing procedures that require extended observation. A multidisciplinary approach, including Case Management, Clinical Nutrition, Pharmacy and Cardiac Rehabilitation is used to facilitate discharge planning. Many of our post cardiac catheterization patients are discharged within 24 hours.
Some frequent diagnoses admitted to Medical / Interventional Cardiology Unit includes the following.
- Post Angioplasty or Coronary Stent
- Chest Pain
- Myocardial Infarction
- Congestive Heart Failure
Nurses with at least two years of direct patient care experience in cardiovascular nursing are given the opportunity to become professionally certified cardiovascular nurses through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (www.nursecredentialing.org).
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Nurse Manager - Debbie Stuart, MHA, RN
Location: 7 South
The Neuro and Stroke Unit is an 18-bed intermediate care unit dedicated to the multidisciplinary care of patients with stroke and other neurological disorders including the following.
- Hemorrhagic and Ischemic Strokes
- Transient Ischemic Attacks
- Non-traumatic craniotomies
- Short-term monitoring of minor head injuries
- Degenerative neurological disorders
Patients and families are active participants with the neurologists, neurosurgeons, nurses, therapists and case managers in their treatment planning and recovery.
The University of Tennessee Medical Center is a JCAHO Certified Primary Stroke Center.
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Nurse Manager - Jean Fitzgerald, BSN, RN
865.305.6009
Location: 9 East
This unique Adult Medical Surgical Unit was created with the vision of the University Pulmonary & Critical Care in an effort to concentrate this patient population in one specific area. The goal was to develop a competent professional staff, specializing in Respiratory Nursing.
This 30-bed, telemetry unit was established in 1984. The nursing staff is committed to excellence and strives to deliver the highest level of quality nursing care. The staff takes great pride in the complex care of the respiratory patient.
The patient population consists predominately of patients with respiratory diseases. Consequently, these patients have a wide range of medical pathophysiology, including diabetes; ASHD; vascular insufficiency; OSA; and cancer of the lung, larynx, throat and tongue. The medical staff includes primarily the pulmonologists, but there are a wide variety of specialists that admit to this unit. Internal Medicine and Family Practice residents—under the direction of medical staff dedicated to teaching and research—are an integral part of this unit.
The multidisciplinary team of 9 East consists of a nurse manager, professional RN staff, clinical pharmacist, respiratory therapist, clinical dietician, case manager, physical therapist, certified nursing assistants and unit secretaries. The cohesion of this team creates a stimulating atmosphere with focus on education, discharge planning and preventative care. These team members are committed to maintaining optimal patient outcomes.
Pulmonary Medicine provides an exciting challenge for the professional nurse. Each nurse is provided with a unit-based orientation while working with an experienced professional preceptor. This comprehensive orientation provides an opportunity to draw from the expertise of all the disciplines, especially the clinical pharmacist and respiratory therapist.
865.305.6027
Location: 6 East
The Vascular Surgery & Transplant Unit (VSTU) is a 30-bed intermediate care unit specializing in the care of patients with vascular disorders or disease and patients who have undergone kidney transplants. This multidisciplinary team was formed in 2002 to provide a focused approach to care for this growing population and its unique needs. The unit provides an intermediate level of care for patients where invasive monitoring and telemetry are available for patients undergoing surgical interventions. The VSTU provides collaborative care for the following.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
- Carotid endarterectomy
- Peripheral vascular bypass surgery
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Kidney Transplantation
- Simultaneous Kidney-Pancreas transplantion
The team in this unit also is specially trained to care for kidney and kidney/pancreas transplant patients in the immediate period after surgery.
Nurses with at least two years of direct patient care experience with these populations are given the opportunity to become professionally certified cardiovascular nurses through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and certified clinical transplant nurses through the American Board for Transplant Certification.
In the Vascular Surgery & Transplant Unit, a multidisciplinary team, including patients and family, work together to promote recovery and return to optimal health.
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