On May 28, Cook County leaders joined Cook County Health officials to celebrate the opening of a new Neurosciences ICU unit at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital that enables Cook County Health to provide the most advanced care to patients with complex neurological conditions and injuries.

“Cook County Health has a storied history of innovation that has ensured critical care access to patients, regardless of their ability to pay,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “I am grateful to the neurosciences team at Stroger Hospital for their commitment to providing patients with this state-of-the-art neurological care.”

“Time is brain. Neurological injuries need rapid and comprehensive treatment,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, Interim CEO, Cook County Health. “Being able to provide advanced critical care helps improve outcomes for patients with the most complex neurological and neurosurgical conditions. No one chooses to come to a neurocritical unit, but residents should feel confident knowing that they have access to the most advanced neurologic care right here at Stroger Hospital. “

The unit is run by physicians who are Board-certified in neurocritical care, and features:

• 24/7 ability to care for critically ill neuro patients, such as those with acute strokes, brain hemorrhages, aneurysm rupture, refractory seizures and traumatic brain or spinal cord injury
• Advanced technologic capabilities, including:
  • Continuous EEG monitoring
  • Monitoring of intracranial pressure and brain oxygen levels
  • Pupillometry measurement equipment
  • Latest neuroimaging technology with AI program
  • Telemedicine coverage, allowing board-certified neurocritical care physicians to offer round-the-clock care for Stroger and Provident Hospitals as well as consults for other area hospitals.
• Ability to care for complex critically ill patients via coordination with neurosurgical services and trauma services from our Level 1 Trauma Center
• A neuro emergency transfer program to accept direct transfers from area hospitals

“Our commitment is to deliver exceptional and compassionate neurological and neurosurgical care,” said Dr. M. Sohel Ahmed, Director of the Neurosciences ICU. “The new unit has highly advanced tertiary care that will allow us to receive neurorological emergencies from the Chicagoland area and beyond.”

The opening of the Neurosciences ICU is the latest step in Cook County Health’s ongoing commitment to providing patients access to the latest medical technologies. In April, Stroger Hospital launched its robotic-assisted surgery program.