Critical Care

Almost 50 years ago, Columbia St. Mary’s was one of the first hospitals to realize that patients with serious injuries had a much greater chance of recovery if treated at specialized facilities by staff trained to care specifically for their type of injury. Today, Columbia St. Mary’s critical care facilities provide some of the most advanced care in the state.

Ours was one of the first Regional Burn Centers in Wisconsin over 50 years ago, and now treats 150 to 200 patients a year from northern Michigan, Illinois and the eastern half of Wisconsin. The Burn Center at the Milwaukee Campus is accredited by the American Burn Association. Our Burn Center staff has an extensive background in the treatment of all types of burns, from minor to life threatening. In addition to state-of-the-art equipment and the latest burn treatments, the burn center also provides the emotional support needed for a full recovery through support groups for ex-patients of the Burn Unit. Working as members of a highly integrated treatment team, the nurses play an essential role in the Burn Center, providing the daily, front-line care that makes such a difference in the recovery of our patients.

Our Burn Center nurses do more than just serve the patients who come through our doors. Since 1988, they have also assisted in the annual Burn Center Golf Invitational, which has raised over $1 million in support of the Burn Center, its burn prevention program and the Camp for Burn Injured Youth. Our nurses also volunteer in a statewide burn prevention program that reaches 4,000 to 5,000 people each year (125,000 since it started).

The Acuity Adaptable Unit at our Ozaukee Campus is a unique treatment setting. Each room is laid out like a “standard” hospital room, yet has all the necessary equipment built-in to be easily converted to a full-service intensive care room. This flexibility enables patients with varying needs to be cared for in one room, instead of relocating them when they are most vulnerable. In this way, we can accommodate the highest acuity cardiac patients and renal failure patients on the same unit, even if these conditions arise after they begin treatment at the hospital. This helps our nurses provide exceptional continuity of care. They are trained to use all of this highly specialized equipment.

Our brand new hospital in downtown Milwaukee will feature three state-of-the-art intensive care units in addition to a new burn unit:

  • Cardiac-Thoracic-Vascular
  • Medical-Surgical
  • Neuro/Muscular and General Medical-Surgical

A Columbia St. Mary’s Critical Care Unit is likely one of the most challenging places to work as a nurse. You’ll need the full extent of your technical, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills. But the rewards are many, from working closely with our MDs and supportive staff to the patients and families we have the privilege of serving. Join us today!