ratios

U.S.A. California

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I'm a California RN working in an acute care hospital. I work in a mixed Tele & med/surg unit. I'm aware of the tele ratio 1:4 and med/surg ratio 1:5...here's my question.

At the start of my shift I receive my assignments - 4 med/surg and 1 patient wearing tele monitor, making my total assignment 5 patients. Does that assignment violate ratio?

Some managers and other RN's believe the 1:4 ratio means all 4 patients are tele monitored. Can anyone clarify?

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

That's out of ratio. If you have a tele patient, you should have no more than 4 patients total. It's not uncommon for hospitals to go out of ratio on occasion. It's reportable to the union if you choose.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I think I need to move to CA :D ... I get 5 all tele patients, and at other hospitals they can get more.

Sent from my iPad using allnurses

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

It's in part because of the very strong nursing union in California.

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Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.

I can't wait to move to California these 6-7 patients are killing me!

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