[sharann]

Ok, remembering that I work PACU my question occurs because out hospital has determined that it is unecessary for the OR nurses to take ACLS etc, except for BLS(basic life support) since there is an anesthesiologist in the room. This is purely a cost cutting matter we believe. Whats up in your neck of the woods? We are a 290 bed acute care facility averaging 15 cases(give or take) a day.
Thanks,

[suzanne4]

There is an ER Doc in the room during emergencies in the ER, and they still require the nurses there to be certified. ACLS isn't just about intubation. Same with PALS.
I actually have ACLS, PALS, and NRP. I used to work NICU and still keep it up when working OR as you can get newborns into surgery for an emergent procedure at any time.

[sharann]

Exactly Suzanne! Just because the nurse doesn't intubate, he/she must still know WHAT is being done to the pt and how to assist or even run the code if there is an unusual occurence (say the anesthesiologist has a MI...)

[shodobe]

Not required here. I did go through the ACLS and let it expire because no reason to have it. I have been around long enough if my gas passer drops dead I think I know what to do. Mike

[IamRN]

Originally Posted by shodobe

Not required here. I did go through the ACLS and let it expire because no reason to have it. I have been around long enough if my gas passer drops dead I think I know what to do. Mike

So do you still review updated ACLS protocols...that is, w/o bothering to get the certification?

[shudokan-RN]

Originally Posted by shodobe

Not required here. I did go through the ACLS and let it expire because no reason to have it. I have been around long enough if my gas passer drops dead I think I know what to do. Mike

no flames please
Big syringe, little syringe, little syringe, turn on gas.... read magazine tease circulator...turn off gas...PRAY
marci

[lifeisbeautiful]

Yes, I feel all OR Registered Nurses should be ACLS/PALS certified. I am a PACU RN, so I have had plenty of experiences with patients coding in the OR. The alarm rings and the light flashes in the PACU when there is a code. This is our signal to assist in the OR. The problem I have with this is that we are very busy in PACU with our patients and it can be very difficult to drop whatever we may be in the middle of to help. I say this because sometimes out patients are experiencing problems and need a nurse at the bedside. Plus, I can't stand it when I get in the OR and may of the RN's are just standing around because they don't know how to assist me..they need to be able to help if necessary. I feel this certification is an extra safety precaution for patients and staff.

[shodobe]

lifeisbeautiful, don't take this wrong but it seems to me you have a lot of stupid RNs working back in the OR. None of the nurses I work with would be "standing" around waiting to be rescued by the PACU. Sorry, just sounds dumb. Mike

[sharann]

Originally Posted by shodobe

lifeisbeautiful, don't take this wrong but it seems to me you have a lot of stupid RNs working back in the OR. None of the nurses I work with would be "standing" around waiting to be rescued by the PACU. Sorry, just sounds dumb. Mike

Mike,
I work with some real doosies in the OR. Thats probably why I asked the original question. These nurses DO stand around and wait to be rescued. They have no clue beyond their "little box of comfort".
You happen to work with nurses with minds(lucky you!)

[lifeisbeautiful]

Originally Posted by shodobe

lifeisbeautiful, don't take this wrong but it seems to me you have a lot of stupid RNs working back in the OR. None of the nurses I work with would be "standing" around waiting to be rescued by the PACU. Sorry, just sounds dumb. Mike

No Mike, the RNs are not "stupid" as you called them, they are not certified. If the OR Nurses began administering drugs during a code and they are not certified, they are working outside their legal scope of practice! The OR nurses have to "stand around waiting to be rescued by the PACU" because it is the hospitals policy that OR nurses DO NOT have to be ACLS certified. They don't have a choice.Yes it is dumb policy and I hate practically abandoning my patient in PACU to help the OR with the code! I don't know about you, but I certainly wouldn't want an RN pushing drugs into me that isn't certified to do so.