Location:

• John Pappajohn Pavilion West, Level 3

Unit description:

• 29 beds

Patient populations:

• Otolaryngology/head and neck
• Ophthalmology
• Oral surgery
• Plastics

Surgical procedurs iclude:

• Head and neck oncology
• Facial trauma
• Neurology
• Skull base ear surgery
• Salivary gland conditions
• Infectious processes involving the head and neck
• Interventions for obstructive sleep apnea, eye, plastic, and oral reconstructive surgeries

About the department:

• Department of Otolaryngology ranked second in the annual US News & World Report rankings
• Head and neck oncology patients offer a challenge to multiple aspects of nursing care
• An active multi-disciplinary team meets weekly
• A unit committee coordinates staff self-scheduling
• There are opportunities for staff to be involved in committee work
• Many staff have their certification in otolaryngology/head and neck nursing

Learning and skill development opportunities include:

• Specialized skills of airway management
• Wound and microvascular flap care
• Working with major dressing changes
• Working with a variety of tubes and drains
• IV/phlebotomy skills
• Professional psychosocial skills to help patients who are unable to speak, coping with body image changes, or in need of listener support

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