When critically ill patients require more advanced life-saving care than a traditional ventilator can provide, they may be a candidate for what is known as Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). PMC is the only hospital in the region to offer this life-saving technique that provides temporary support to patients with severe respiratory or cardiac failure in the ICU. ECMO functions as an advanced form of life support similar to a heart-lung bypass machine used during open heart surgery. It takes over the function of the lungs, heart, or both, allowing these organs to rest and recover.

ECMO is used for various critical care situations. In cases of severe respiratory failure, this machine can provide oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal by temporarily bypassing the lungs. In severe cardiac failure, it can assist the heart by pumping oxygenated blood throughout the body, giving the heart a chance to recover and regain its strength. ECMO can be used during complex surgeries or as bridge therapy for recovering transplant patients.

The decision to initiate the process utilizing the ECMO is carefully considered for each individual patient and their condition. This advanced technology has revolutionized critical care, providing a lifeline for patients with severe respiratory or cardiac failure. By temporarily supporting or replacing the function of the lungs or heart, ECMO offers a better chance for recovery.

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The dedicated men and women in these departments work tirelessly to treat patients who are critically ill. Many patients in the ICU are placed there due to severe medical
conditions such as heart failure, respiratory distress, major trauma, organ failure or complications following complex surgeries.

Newly updated and renovated, PMC’s ICU is meticulously designed to optimize patient care featuring 53 ICU beds equipped with advanced monitoring systems, ventilators, dialysis machines, defibrillators, cardiac monitors and more. The physical layout of the ICU promotes efficient care and allows healthcare providers to readily access patients in need. In these areas, many nurses only care for one or two patients at a time, ensuring the patient’s care is concentrated and tailored to each specific need. PMC has seven ICU physicians and numerous nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists and other support staff who are specifically trained to treat critically ill patients.

Advanced monitoring systems work continuously to track vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and respiratory rate, allowing healthcare providers to detect changes and intervene promptly. Additionally, the PMC Critical Care Unit utilizes specialized techniques and treatment options not offered anywhere else in Eastern Kentucky.

PMC’s ICU staff strives to provide family-centered care and support by allowing families to visit their loved ones under specific guidelines to offer comfort and reassurance. Additionally, they engage in regular communication with families, explaining the patient’s condition, treatment plan and progress. These things combined help to alleviate anxiety in patients and their loved ones.

With the combination of advanced technology, cutting-edge techniques combined with a dedicated and caring staff, Pikeville Medical Center is dedicated to saving lives.

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In both departments, time can be of the utmost importance when diagnosing and treating critically ill patients.  Having these handheld devices readily available at the bedside can give physicians nearly instant results.

“The PMC ED serves as the first line of aid in a health crisis or trauma situation,” explained PMC Director of Emergency Services Dale Morton.  “Our physicians can carry this ultrasound device in their pockets, giving them the opportunity to see images of a patient’s lungs, heart or abdomen more quickly than with a traditional ultrasound machine.”

Morton also explained that the handheld ultrasound devices are less frightening for children being treated in the PMC Emergency Department, adding that these new pieces of equipment will be good for the transition to the new ED Pediatric Wing currently under construction.

With the COVID-19 pandemic at an all-time high infection rate in Eastern Kentucky, keeping infected patients isolated is a top priority.  The new handheld ultrasound devices can be used by physicians at the bedside, in many cases eliminating the need to transport the patient to another area of the hospital.  In addition, cleaning the handheld ultrasound devices can be done in a matter of seconds, enabling it to be used to examine another patient much more quickly.

Two of the handheld ultrasound devices will be used in the Intensive and Critical Care Units, adding another tool for physicians to diagnose and treat PMC’s most critically ill patients.

“In the ICU, we quickly move from patient to patient, and being able to have an ultrasound unit readily available and in our pocket is crucial,” said PMC Critical Care Physician Hazim Bukamur, MD.

The funds to purchase the new handheld ultrasound devices were provided by a grant through the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP).   This program helps to prepare health care facilities like PMC to save lives through the development of regional health care coalitions (HCC).

“Anytime we are able to fund equipment that has the potential to save lives, we consider that a win for everyone,” explained Gina M. Porter, Region 8 Healthcare Coalition Coordinator.

The Eastern Kentucky Healthcare Preparedness Coalition (Region 8) serves Breathitt, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Wolfe counties.

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PMC’s ICU is comprised of 57 total beds spread across floors three, four, and nine of May Tower. Third Floor ICU is exclusively reserved for surgery and trauma patients. Floors four and nine are for patients who are critically ill from sickness. The newly remodeled ninth floor has many amenities to make families more comfortable while visiting their loved ones. The rooms are very private, and nurses are stationed in close proximity, just outside the door for ease of communication and patient monitoring.

“These rooms have a comfortable and spacious family area, making it easier to stay with your loved one around the clock,” said Critical Care Director Josh Damron, RN. “We encourage families to be involved in every aspect of patient care.”

Damron explained the ICU beds are also very high-tech. PMC utilizes Stryker Intouch ICU beds, each equipped with a lift for aid in the safety of the patient as well as the staff. The beds also have a gel surface which is better for pulmonary therapies and wound prevention. In the event a patient does not speak English, the bed even has the ability to translate questions and comments into other languages.

Numerous board-certified specialists work as a team to provide 24/7 care to patients with a wide variety of severe illness or injury. Together, they treat patients from all over the region who are suffering from life-threatening illness or injury, and who require constant monitoring.

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PMC was only the third medical center in the country to offer the Baxter Prismax System, which is basically life support for the kidneys.

“The Prismax System is state-of-the-art equipment used to treat the sickest of the sick,” explained PMC Director of Critical Care, Josh Damron.

“We put our staff through very intensive training to use this equipment and have brought specialists in from other states to do the training.  We are working diligently to make sure we are providing quality care to our most critically ill patients.”

The Prismax System continuously filters and cleans the blood when the patient’s kidneys are no longer functioning, and helps to remove excess fluid from the body.  Damron says PMC currently has six Prismax units, but more are available if necessary.

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