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neurosurgery suites and equipped them with the latest technology, and created a neurointerventional program. Neuro ICU — The First In Summit County The Neuroscience Institute's 10-bed Neuro ICU opened last February at Akron General Medical Center. The unit features a portable CT scanner and continuous EEG monitoring for those experiencing silent seizures. Neurologist and stroke specialist James Gebel, MD, MS, FAHA, serves as its medical director. A summa cum laude graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati, Dr. Gebel received his MD degree from the University of Cincinnati and an MS in Clinical Research from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining Akron General's medical staff, Dr. Gebel served as the head of Cleveland Clinic Enterprise Stroke System Operations and as an asso- ciate professor of Neurology at Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Medicine where he also served as neurology co-director of the second-year medical student neuro and behavioral science course. "The primary benefit of a neuro ICU is having a team of neurointen- sive care nurses specially trained to monitor patients' neurological condi- tion," says Dr. Gebel. "This ensures an optimal plan for accurate, frequent monitoring of patients who are recover- ing from strokes or other life-threatening neurological problems." He believes the dedicated Neuro ICU also fosters staff collaboration and communication by bringing the team together into one physical space. "This physical integration mirrors our functional collaboration." Soon after the Neuro ICU opened its doors, the number of patients exceeded projected volumes. As a result, a four- to six-bed step-down unit was added this month. It is utilized for patients who still require frequent neurologic monitoring, but do not need ICU level cardiopulmo- nary monitoring or care. "This step-down unit can be used to monitor patients who have had high-risk transient ischemic attacks and are now Dr. James Gebel is director of Akron General's new Neuro Intensive Care Unit which opened in February. The 10-bed unit features a portable CT scanner and continuous EEG monitoring for those experiencing silent seizures. at risk for imminent full-blown stroke," Dr. Gebel says. "The unit will provide the same level of neurological nursing expertise as the Neuro ICU." New ORs, New Technology In addition to expanding its neurology facilities, Akron General has also updated its neurosurgery facilities by renovating four operating suites and acquiring advanced technology. Included are + Elekta Gamma Knife radiosurgery system to treat patients with brain and neck tumors using high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors + Brainsuite intra-operative MRI (iMRI) and intra-operative CT (iCT) to provide surgeons with precise and up-to-date anatomical information during surgery to improve outcomes + Brainsuite NET to provide intra- operative access to patient data from Akron General's Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) and control the flow of all digital date within the OR Akron General is reportedly one of only a handful of hospitals worldwide to offer both iMRI and iCT. These systems SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2012 ■ MDNEWS.COM ■ MD NEWS Cleveland-Akron-Canton | 9