Division of Neurosurgery

Department of Surgery

Academic Neuroscience Program & 7.3 Neurosurgery Inpatient

Collaboration for the best care


At the QEII, the Divisions of Neurosurgery, Neurology and Orthopedic Surgery (spine program) came together with a goal to help advance neurosciences for all Atlantic Canadians. This plan has seen Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Spine come together on 7.3 and 7.4 with a new state of the art Intermediate Medical Care Unit (IMCU) and Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU). By sharing a common space, we draw upon each other’s knowledge and experience to build the best possible teams of care providers. For patients, it means being able to receive the most comprehensive care in Atlantic Canada including prevention, intervention, long-term management, outreach and links to community providers.

The Academic Neuroscience Program allows implementation of a collaborative best practice model, giving patients the most comprehensive, timely care in Atlantic Canada, including prevention, intervention, long-term management, outreach and links to community providers. Key benefits of the program include:

The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) expansion

Patients with epilepsy from across Atlantic Canada are brought to the EMU to determine whether there is a surgical cure for their uncontrollable epilepsy. Under the Academic Neuroscience Program, the EMU will double in capacity from two to four beds, expanding the monitoring unit capacity and reducing wait times for the service. Enhancements to surgical technology through the use of robotics will potentially reduce surgery time by 50 per cent.

Spine Program development

The Spine Program will provide infrastructure for a multidisciplinary team of specialists to collaborate, providing more efficient and effective care to patients with spine disorders and spinal cord injury. Neurosurgery Spine Service will be closely aligned with Rehabilitation Services, providing continuity of care from the acute phase of illness through to rehabilitation.

The Neurosurgical Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) expansion

IMCU beds have increased from four to six, accommodating more patients transferred from the Emergency Department (ED) or the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to Neurosurgery. With additional beds, patient transfer times from ICU and ED have been improved and cancelled surgeries have been decreased.

 

Fundraising:

The QEII Foundation launched a fundraising campaign to support the new Academic Neuroscience Program.   In 2015, the QEII Foundation completed its fundraising in the amount of 2.5 million dollars to help us achieve this dream.

We would like to thank the QEII Foundation and the NSHA leadership for their support in this endeavour.

Donate to this Academic Neuroscience Program through the QEII Foundation.