Re: IABP Removal

We (RN's) on our unit pull the IABP, the md is not even required to be in house. This has been done like this for many years. It is with in the scope of the RN as long as they have been signed off on it (atleast in the state of NC) We have never had problems. We do not use femstops often (try not to) Best Practice states manual pressure is best, it has the lowest complication rate. When a femstop is place on the RN tends to not watch the site for the entire 20-30min and when they go back after 5 min the patient has had complications. Manual pressure always best. (i have the lit to back this up if you would like it)

Re: IABP Removal

I have worked in several different ICU settings and and at no point is a nurse allowed to pull a IABP. I guess it comes down to the hospital policy because in the end that is what is going to cover the nurse. If policy says no then you can't do it.

Re: IABP Removal

In our CCU, nurses are not allowed to d/c or remove IABP, the only thing we're allowed is to reduced the frequency of IABP from 1:1- 1:3 and nothing more than that. I think what happening now is some of the doctor are pretty much dependent to nurses. We should not tolerate this and we should always questioned doctors regarding this matter and in fact this is not included in our scope of practice or not even a nurses extended role.

Re: IABP Removal

Our hospital has perfusionists that D/C the IABP's. RN's should not be doing this- the potential for complications is too high. I feel that those who have posted that they have D/C'd IABP have done so without fully appreciating the risks of liability they have undertaken. This is a physician, PA, or perfusionists' responsibility. In a court of law you may be liable because you could be acting outside of the scope of practice for the RN (check your state nursing boards for specific regulations). In my experience, physicians are eager to D/C a pump so they can clear the ICU or cath lab board early and go home...too bad! Stay and finish the job, and quit dumping more unnecessary tasks on nursing!

Re: IABP Removal

Originally Posted by beau23

In our CCU, nurses are not allowed to d/c or remove IABP, the only thing we're allowed is to reduced the frequency of IABP from 1:1- 1:3 and nothing more than that. I think what happening now is some of the doctor are pretty much dependent to nurses. We should not tolerate this and we should always questioned doctors regarding this matter and in fact this is not included in our scope of practice or not even a nurses extended role.

We were expected to trial wean some patients and shoot numbers for Doc A and B, but don't dare do it for Doc C or Ds patients. Some would want to give the order to wean verbally, not that they looked at the patient first, and others would expect the IABP to be weaned by the time they came on the unit at 10 ish AM...my point is that we cater to physicians far too much in this profession to where, as nurses, we have what I call dilusional autonomy. It angers me to hear that there are nurses out there that do the bidding of physicians so they can cut out early while we are left holding the bag...in this case a fem pressure drsg. I don't even ask docs what they want for procedures anymore-they know where the supply racks are located..and if they don't their PA surely does! Lets go nurses, stop acting outside of the scope of your practice just to hope for a little respect that you may (not) get. Docs may say thanks-but will they remember on the next shift? Ok...I'm done, I really needed to do that!

Re: IABP Removal

CCRNCCU2008, I would love to have the reference for your literature you cited. This is an interesting topic.