Intensive Care Unit
Concentrated, continuous care—when it’s needed most
Northern Westchester Hospital’s 16-bed Intensive Care Unit is here to provide an outstanding team of specialists to care for seriously ill patients, with open visitation for loved ones.
Our ICU care team
Each patient admitted to our ICU needs the very best care. That’s why our team includes:
- Intensivists—fellowship-trained, board-certified physicians in critical care medicine offering 24/7 care
- ICU-trained nursing team
- Respiratory therapists specially trained to care for ICU patients with breathing problems
- Nutritionists to ensure proper nutrition, check weight and address any feeding-tube needs
- Physical therapists to help patients regain strength
- Wound care specialists to tend to non-healing wounds
- IV (intravenous) specialist
- E-ICU specialists—telecommunication at the bedside from around Northwell Health
What ICU visitors can expect
If you’re visiting a loved one in our ICU, here's what you should know:
- We have open visitation—you can visit 24/7.
- Your loved one may look different.
- Your loved one may act differently (patients may be given strong sedatives or pain medication, they may be asleep or sluggish/confused).
- Our ICU care team strives to maintain a soothing and healing environment.
- ICU patients are typically surrounded by medical equipment and tubes.
- The medical equipment has alarms to alert the nurses of changes or movements. Our team is trained in understanding these alarms and responding appropriately.
- Nurses may ask you to leave the room during your visit if they have to do a procedure, change the patient or reposition them in bed. There is an ICU waiting room where guests can go during these times.
- Infection control is a priority. We take steps to help prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria. This may include you wearing protective gowns, gloves and face masks when visiting, and frequent hand washing before, during and after a visit.
Helpful resources
- For families—patients in the ICU may experience ICU delirium—an acute and fluctuating disturbance of consciousness and cognition common in critically ill patients. We work closely with families to help reduce this.
- For caregivers—visit the Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center, dedicated to the emotional support and well-being of people caring for a loved one during an acute, devastating illness.
- Patient advocacy—learn about patient advocacy at Northern Westchester Hospital.
- Additional information
Our physicians
Richard L. Stumacher, MD
Assoc. Residency Program Dir of Medicine - Pulmonary/Critical Care, Northern Westchester Hospital, Associate Medical Director of Medicine - Pulmonary/Critical Care, Northern Westchester Hospital, Chair - Medical Board of Medicine - Pulmonary/Critical Care, Northern Westchester Hospital, Chief of Division of Medicine - Pulmonary/Critical Care, Northern Westchester Hospital
Critical Care Medicine, Internal Medicine
Praveen Rudraraju, MD
Director - Center for Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northern Westchester Hospital
Sleep Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonary Disease
