SICU Staffing

[melange]

I'm interested in finding out about staffing ratios in SICU's around the country. The unit I work in is 32 bed SICU and more often then not we must take 3 patients due to cut backs in staff. Our patient mix is general surgery, liver & kidney transplants, CCU overflow, Lifegift doners, TAAA 2nd day post-op, etc. I personally believe this is a dangerous situation to the patient and my license. If one patient goes very critical or codes or a new admission comes in, your other patients suffer and mistakes can be made. Any information or input anyone can provide would be appreciated.

[This message has been edited by melange (edited March 25, 2000).]

[CC NRSE]

WOW, ... Jenny P. I want to come work with you!!! And Julie F, sure does sound BAD, I'm afraid that would have been one contract I would have broken!!!! I guess I really con't say much though. The unit I work in is almost as bad. But it is a little easier for me, I've been there almost 3 years. We seem to take 3 patients on a regualr basis. Never enough staff. It's nothing for us to accept fresh CAB's along with two other patients or another fresh CAB!!!! Very dangerous I know. That's why I am considering leaving. I love my job and the group of docs I work with but it is getting very unsafe. Now they are starting to admit whatever comes through the door to our (heart/vascular)unit. I don't mind taking other kinds of patients but I don't think it is appropriate with a fresh heart. (our rooms are separated by curtains, set-up like PACU) The bad thing is, we work so hard to get people out (to make beds for the hearts that day) and they will fill the bed with a code or admit from ER then we have to run to get the patient moved before the heart comes. Between 2 beds monday I had 5 patients!!!!! 2 were hearts from the day before (moved out) a fresh CAB, code from the telemetry floor, (lateraled over to ICU once stable) and finally a good old GIB that died later that night!!!!

Sorry, I know this is long just blowing off some steam!!!!

As far as a 1:1, that's something I've NEVER seen at this hospital. However, we do have a bivad but have never used it. The day they get brave and use it, it will be a 2:1 ratio (doctor,nurse:patient!!!!) We have never used it so I'm not sure anyone there would know how to take care of it!!!

Also forgot to add, we don't have a tech, and only one secretary we share between 4 units (what has turned into basically one big unit.) We spend ALOT of time taking off orders and putting labs in the computer. (even with 3 patients and fresh hearts!!!) THis is on day. At night, they NEVER have a secretary.