ALERT CONTENT PLACEHOLDER

Location

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Hours

Location

Contact

Hours

Location

Contact

Hours

Location

Contact

Hours


 What We Do

This 28-bed unit is a specialized spine unit within the Krembil Brain Institute and one of a few in the country. Our spine patients range from those having neurosurgical spine procedures to those experiencing emergent infectious, oncological, and traumatic processes with potentially devastating consequences. We also care for other neurological/neurosurgical patients.

The majority of patients have diagnoses of:

  • Spinal stenosis
  • Herniated disc
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Spinal tumours and abscesses
  • General neurosurgery excluding subarachnoid hemorrhage, pituitary tumour
  • Neurological disorders
  • Chronic pain disorders

You need to be seen and admitted by a doctor at UHN to become a patient in our inpatient unit.​

 Materials and Resources to Help You

Resources from the Patient & Family Education Program PDF Icon

* These material(s) are also available in other languages.

Other Related Links

Learn about what to expect before, during and after your surgery, as well as preparing to return home, in UHN's surgery binder.

Visit our health information section.​

Patient & Families Services

You can also find other services throughout UHN. Learn mo​re about patient and family services available throughout UHN.​

 Your Inpatient Stay

In the Spinal/Neurosurgery Inpatient Unit, a team of health care professionals will care for you during your stay and help you prepare for your discharge.


What to Bring

For your stay, bring the following items. If you forget to bring anything with you or if you arrive in our inpatient unit after visiting our emergency department or transferring from another hospital, a friend or family member can bring the items after you have been admitted.

Documents and Information

  • Health card (OHIP card).
  • Information about private health insurance or other health benefits. If you have private health insurance or receive other health benefits, this may help to cover the cost of preferred accommodation if you request to stay in a semi-private or private room
  • A copy of any advance directive (power of attorney or living will) you may have.
  • Contact details for other healthcare providers who have been involved in your care to help us ensure continuity in your care.
  • The names, addresses and telephone numbers of your family members, friends or other emergency contacts and your family doctor.

Medications

  • All your medications in their original bottles.
  • A complete list of medications you are currently taking, including prescription medications, non-prescription medications, vitamin or mineral supplements and herbal remedies.

Clothing and Personal Items

  • Loose, comfortable clothes to wear during the day that are easy to put on.
  • Clothes to sleep in, such as a nightgown or pyjamas and a robe.
  • Socks and comfortable shoes with non-skid rubber soles, such as running shoes. If you have limited movement in your arms or hands, we recommend bringing shoes with Velcro straps.
  • Slippers (rubber soles and closed backs are preferred).
  • Toiletries, such as a toothbrush, tissues or lip and skin moisturizer. Please do not bring any scented products.
  • Electrical supplies such as a razor or blow dryer. Please show your nurse any electrical items you bring, as items need to be checked to make sure they can be used safely in the inpatient service.
  • Hearing aids and batteries, dentures and eyeglasses.
  • Walker, wheelchair or other mobility aids, labelled with your name and phone number.

You may also want to bring:

  • A cell phone and/or a phone card for local and long-distance calls.
  • Small personal items, such as books or magazines.
  • A personal device for music or entertainment, and headphones or earplugs so you do not disturb other patients. Free UHN guest wi-fi is available throughout the hospital.
  • A small amount of money for newspapers, coffee or other small purchases in the hospital.
  • Anything else that will make your stay more comfortable.

We do not take responsibility for your money or valuables. If you choose to bring them into the hospital, you are doing so at your own risk.

When You Arrive

An admitting clerk, intake coordinator or nurse will meet with you shortly after you arrive. They will welcome you and:

  • Tell you about the services available while you are at UHN
  • Get your health card (OHIP card) number
  • Get information about any private insurance you may have or other health benefits you may receive
  • Get any other relevant information, such as advance directives
  • Help you get settled and comfortable as quickly as possible
  • Answer any questions you may have

During Your Stay

Your Treatment

Monitoring Your Health
Your healthcare team will see you every day. We will talk with you about how you are doing and answer any questions you may have. If you want to speak with a member of your healthcare team at any other time, ask the nurse looking after you.
You may have blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans or other tests performed during your stay. If we recommend that you receive any of these tests, we will discuss them with you in advance, and we will meet with you afterward to discuss the results.

Visitors

We encourage you to have family members, friends and other supportive visitors during your stay. You are welcome to meet with visitors in your room, in the common lounge areas and in the visiting areas outdoors.

UHN hospitals offer flexible visiting hours. Learn more about visiting patients at UHN »

Amenities

Throughout our hospital, you and your family and other visitors can find a range of amenities to make your stay more enjoyable and comfortable. Learn more about amenities at UHN hospitals.

Eating and Drinking

You will have a chance to tell us about your food preferences and allergies when you are admitted to the hospital. This information will be entered into our computer system, and your meals will take into account your preferences and allergies, as well as the diet plan specified by your doctor.

Medications

If you are taking any medications before you enter the hospital or if our healthcare professionals order new medications during your stay, we will provide your medications at the required times. For each medication, you should know:

  • The name of the medication
  • Why you need it
  • How much to take
  • When to take it
  • Any side effects it may cause

If you want to know more about your medications, you can ask your pharmacist, doctor or nurse at any time.

Pain Management

As your body heals, you may experience some pain and discomfort. Our goal is to make sure that you have as little pain as possible.
Managing your pain can help your recovery. Pain management can:

  • Decrease the amount of stress on your body
  • Promote healing
  • Decrease complications
  • Prevent the development of chronic or long-term pain

To manage your pain, we need to know what you are feeling. You can describe your pain on a number scale, where "0" means "no pain" and "10" means "the worst pain you can imagine." You can also describe your pain with words like:

  • Mild
  • Moderate
  • Severe
  • Sharp
  • Achy
  • Throbbing

These words can help us understand and treat your pain.

Hand Washing

It is important to wash your hands well and often while you are in the hospital. Washing your hands will reduce the chances that you will become sick or get an infection.
It's okay to ask your doctor, nurse and other healthcare providers to wash or sanitize their hands using a gel hand sanitizer before examining you.
You can learn more about infection control at UHN.

How Long Will Your Stay Be?

The length of your stay will be based on your healthcare team's assessment of your condition. Soon after you arrive on the unit, we will discuss with you and your family how long you will be staying.

Preparing for Your Discharge

We will work with you and your family to start planning early for your discharge to help you make a safe and successful transition.
At the end of your inpatient stay, we will give you any discharge instructions and a prescription for any medications you require.
If you have any questions about your discharge or your care needs before you leave the hospital, don't be afraid to ask a member of your team. We are here to help you.​

 Meet Our Team

Nurse Manager: Pamela Allen

Advanced Practice Nurse Educator: Maria Chiera-Lyle

Physicians & Surgeons

Neurologists
Neurologists are medical doctors who have specialized training in caring for patients with brain, spinal cord and nerve problems.

Neurosurgeons or Orthopedic surgeons
A neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon is the doctor who operated on you.

Medical students, residents and fellows also may be part of our team. Learn more about health care professional trainees at UHN.

Nursing

Charge Nurse
The charge nurse co-ordinates the functioning of the unit, shift by shift.

Nurse Manager
Nurse managers are in charge of the unit and may be contacted by patients and their families, about any concerns not addressed by the bedside nurse or medical team.

Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced training. They have a Master's degree and are certified as nurse practitioners. Our nurse practitioners have special training in vascular care. They may:

  • Ask about your health history and do medical exams
  • Order medicines and tests for you
  • Talk to you about your test results
  • Teach you about your condition and your care
  • Help you and your family plan for going home

Nursing Students
UHN is a teaching hospital. All nursing students in the unit get close supervision from teachers and staff. Students will introduce themselves to you so that you know who they are.

Patient Care Coordinator (PCC)
The PCC helps the manager to coordinate patient care.

Registered Nurses
Our staff nurses have special skills in caring for patients with cardiovascular problems.

Health Professions

Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists help you to be more independent. They help you with everyday activities like eating, dressing and bathing.

Pharmacists
Pharmacists give you information about the medicine you are taking. They also help to make sure you have the best medicine for you.

Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists work with you to improve your strength, balance and coordination.

Registered Dietitians
Dietitians help you learn about healthy eating and what to eat for a special heart diet.

Social Workers
Social workers help you and your family plan for going home. They can help you find services in the community. They also offer counseling to help you to cope.

Speech and Language Professionals
Speech and language professionals work with you to manage swallowing disorders and communication difficulties.

Spiritual Care Professionals
Spiritual care providers support patients and families of all faiths.

Support

Patient Care Assistants (PCA)
Patient care assistants help you with your personal care needs, such as bathing and feeding. They are staff members trained by the hospital.

Ward Clerk
Ward clerks provide administrative support and are typically the first person who patients meet when arriving in the unit.​

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