This is what we have for
Patient Teaching
1.Reinforce the reason for telemetry.
2.To remain on the unnit except for testing or procedures.
3.To report any chest pain,dizziness, shortness of breath or if nitroglycerin taken. (This is not routinely kept at bedside).
4. To call nurse immediately if any chest pain.
Our guideline as of July 2006
1.Purpose:To assure monotoring alarms are set with appropriate settings and are suficiently audible with respect to distances and competing environmental soounds within the unit.
2.Policy
A.Alarms are in place to alert NS of changes in Pt condition and thus promote Pt safety by facilitating timely identification and communication of changes to the appropriate provider
B.Alarm setting are the responsibility of the profesional nurse assigned to the patient.
3.Procedure
A. The volume of alarms is not to be adjusted.If found to be inadequate,an electronic work order will be entered and accommodations will be made to provide for Pt safety.
B. Upon admission to the ICU or initiation of tele monitoring, the Pt will be monitored w/unit parameter settings. If Pt's clinical presentation is outside these parameters, the acepting Physician must be made aware of PT conditon,after which the alarms may be adjusted around the Pt's current readings to monitor for further changes. Parameter adjustments must be documented in the nurses shift note oft ICU Pt's or in the tele strip record for tele pt's. Any further adjustments to the alarm setting will be made only after the responsibllle Physician is notified of the changes in the Pt's reading. Further changes in alarm setting must also be documented.
C.Non-critical alarms may be disabled of the alert to an ongoing condition that is known to the Physician. Examples of this would be "irregular rhythm" for a Pt in atrial fibrillation, bijeminal or trijeminal PVCs. These changes would not require additional documentation.
D.Upon discharge or transfer of a Pt. teh monitor woll be reset ot the unit standard setting; this is the responsibility of the nurse discharging or transferring the pt.
E. The following alarms may not be disabled: Asystole(>4 seconds),V-fib,V-tach, Extreme Brady <15, Extreme Tachy>250
REFERENCE JCAHO 2006 National Patient Safety Goal #6
REVIEWED BY: Nursing Executive Council
REVIEW DATE JULY 2008
Sorry this is so detailed but this is what we have so far and there have been situations where the Pt was taken off tele for bathing etc and also
the time limit for tele use ?48-72 hours.
Any and all feedback would be greatly appreceiated
Would you like to comment?
you. Again Thanks.
