Biffbradford replied to Java Mama's topic in General Nursing
Right on. Is it a lethal rhythm or not? Is lethal? Can I shock it? Then I'm gonna shock it! Can I pace it? Then I'm gonna pace it. It's not so bad. :) In 3 hospitals over 19 years, I can't remember a cardiologist or electrophysiologist ever saying ...
Biffbradford replied to JustKeepSmiling's topic in CCU
Congratulations. I went the other route ... started in a CVICU and moved to step down. Like you said, crazy busy but now I'm not worrying about someone crashing every day and if they do begin to go sour, it's not up to me to fix 'em. Did that for >...
Biffbradford replied to seamel's topic in Critical
Best ICU (CVICU) I worked in had a clip board for each room, so each patient had their own report sheet. It was re-writen on NOCs and updated throughout the day. Format and content was determined by a committee of nurses. Report was easy, you went fr...
Once had a VAD pt in slow VTach for a WEEK. Rhythm was unresponsive to all therapies, but the VAD still kept pumping so BP was fine. Final outcome not good. Crazy stuff.
Yeah, I refrain from 'stripping' but will resort to that if it means getting a big honking clot out of there and preventing sending the guy back to surgery for tamponade! I remember one nurse that spent her whole 12 hour shift milking and stripping c...
Biffbradford replied to SBURNSTEVEN's topic in CCU
Boy, if I ever face some time on the table, CUT ME OPEN. I want that surgeon looking and smelling with his own eyes and nose, cutting and sewing with his own talented hands. :)
Biffbradford replied to delphine22's topic in MICU
I don't remember what they all were, but I recall an ECMO patient that had 4 stacks of Baxter double pumpers. (not the official term) :) Two stacks on each side of the bed and prob. 4 high (you could go more but the pole got real unstable) so that wo...
Biffbradford replied to pinkflamingo72's topic in Critical
Hard to say. Be courteous but curt with your time. Get in, get it done, and get out. Even in the ICU where you 'only' have 2 patients, you have to pick one to start with. Do you see the 'easy' one first? Or the 'hard' one? I usually go with the sick...
Nothing earth shattering to share from here. Stay on top of a spare bottle for the on coming shift and I'll change the tubing a little early if it's going to be due on the next shift (usually Q12hrs). Love it though!
His family will just have to corner the attending physician and bombard him/her with questions. Perhaps it's time for a family conference where you gather the docs and a nurse and talk about his current treatment and future plans. In 15 years of ICU ...
Biffbradford replied to MallysMama's topic in MICU
Interesting. I once had a heart patient on Dobutamine but the cardiac index was still a lousy 1.8. Surgeon suggested turning it off, that on rare occasion is has an opposite affect, I did ... and the index immediately came up to 2.5. Hah!