Amélie Brasiola: leading the Surgical Intensive Care Unit

This article is adapted from the fourth edition of the Foundation’s magazine

As head of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), Amélie Brasiola is dedicated to improving postoperative activities at the Institute. She is also the recipient of the 2023 Montreal Heart Institute Managers’ Association Award in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the development of innovative projects and her outstanding commitment to employees. She spoke to us about the importance of her unit and the key role the Foundation plays in supporting it.

From nurse to head of her unit

Amélie was drawn to the healthcare field, specifically nursing, because she believed it would fulfill her need to have close contact with her fellow humans. During her studies, she developed a keen interest in cardiology, a complex field brimming with exciting and promising research projects. Joining the team at the Institute was a natural step for her: “I wanted to work in the best centre dedicated to cardiology, so I came to the Institute. That was 15 years ago. I started as a nurse in the SICU and I never left. For the past four years, I’ve been the head of a unit that has allowed me to grow professionally,” she said.

The SICU: a key transition zone

The SICU is where patients go after their surgery. “We support them during what we call the post-acute recovery phase—the moment in their treatment when they have the greatest needs. Whether a patient undergoes a transplant or any other type of surgical procedure, they all spend time here. When they first arrive, they are intubated and connected to all sorts of wires. They’ll wake up in the recovery room and we’ll monitor them for several days after the surgery. We aim to get them up and out of their wheelchair that same day: once earlier in the day and once at the end of the day. If everything goes well, the patient can be transferred to another unit the next day and then eventually be discharged. Every room in the unit is equipped to welcome families and designed to help the patient recover optimally,” said Amélie.

Helping the teams excel

Amélie has been the head of the SICU for the past four years. Her daily tasks include overseeing a multidisciplinary team that includes nurses specialized in cardiology and intensive care, intensive care physicians, attendants, and specialists who work in the SICU to meet the patients’ needs. “I support the staff in their work, making sure everything runs smoothly and that they’re not overworked. I also help them navigate any changes, such as when we’ve implemented new programs or equipment. It’s a human-centric management approach that’s based on attentiveness and a relationship of trust. With my several years of experience as a nurse, I fully understand their challenges and needs.”

As the leader of the SICU, Amélie also acts as a bridge between the surgical teams and the staff in the unit. She ensures that transitions are smooth and that there are enough human resources available to take care of new patients recovering from surgery.

Relieving pain thanks to the Postoperative Pain Management Service (SAPO)

Thanks to her boundless energy, Amélie wears many hats at the Institute. She leads the Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery (ERACS) program as well as the Postoperative Pain Management Service (SAPO), an interdisciplinary clinical service whose primary mission is to provide personalized pain relief and management to patients who undergo surgery at the Institute. “SAPO is a collaboration between a nurse and an anesthesiologist who make daily rounds to surgical patients to assess their comfort and adjust their care as required. We combine various pain relief techniques to optimally manage acute postoperative pain,” said Amélie.

This leading-edge postoperative expertise not only reduces patients’ pain, but it has also led to the development of specific projects over the past few years. “Implementing a service like SAPO has allowed us to take our expertise to a whole new level and optimize our methods to ensure we can provide recovering patients with the very best care.”

An ambassador for the Foundation

As ambassador of the MHI Employees Generosity Campaign, Amélie has become an advocate for the Foundation. “As unit heads, we are extremely dedicated to the cause. We work for patients, and we see the direct impact of the Foundation’s support. We know how cutting-edge equipment makes a difference in the lives of patients. That’s why I wanted to become involved with the Foundation and foster employee engagement. I’m very happy to help demonstrate the positive impact the Foundation has on our work and on the quality of the care we provide. I want to highlight how important the Foundation is for the future of the Institute.”

Amélie’s heart

If Amélie’s heart could speak, here’s what it would say:

“I’ve been at the Institute for 15 years now. I see all the work, dedication and commitment of those around me. What motivates me most is the excellence of the care staff—their joy, their exuberance, their devotion to their patients. Their strength fuels me and helps me give the best of myself.”

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