[meandragonbrett]

We have a monitor at the desk that we can view all pts on tele and print off strips if needed.

The monitor techs are the ones that are actually monitoring rhythms 24/7. They have an rhythm course taught by the ICU staff and must pass the final exam with 100%. Anytime a rhythm changes or a significant rate change occurs, (i.e. normal sinus converts to sinus tach) the particular tech calls the floor and speaks with that pts RN to notify of the rhythm change.


They also fax a rhythm report q8h to let the staff know of the trends of that patient.

[pickledpepperRN]

Thank you.

[krazy_coconuts]

I work as a CNA/tele tech on a 46 bed tele unit. We also monitor another floor (that only has a few of their pts on tele), so we end up usually monitoring 50-70 pts. The rule on our floor is there must ALWAYS be two tele techs unless, on the very very rare occasion (like Christmas day), we have less than 30 pts on tele. If for some reason there is only one available tele tech on shift they will pull a RN to work on tele. I'm really surprised that more units don't have this rule ... that would scare me to death as a nurse! Too many things can and do happen.

[SarasotaRN2b]

I work as a CMT/HUC and in the beginning I found it very unsettling...it was sensory overload at times. I'm six months in now and feel much more comfortable. On the tele floor we monitor between 20 and 24, while when we are assigned to the remote tele room it can be up to 48, but usually 35 is the max. Usually the majority on remote tele are sinus rhythm, with a few that may require more attention. You become more intuned and able to see what is artifact or a loss lead and what is really urgent. Again, this comes with time.

Kris