low census?

Specialties NICU

Published

Anyone else experiencing an unbelievable low census? I thought we had a nursing shortage. We are laying off staff left and right. I know people are still conceiving, so what gives? South Georgia has never had a problem with overpopulating.

We've been fairly steady. A couple of our long-termers are getting ready to leave, but there are at least a couple more destined to be here for months.

October was. But we've been over census 75% of the time for the past month.

Specializes in ob; nicu.

I Am In No Way Of Losing My Job. Thank Goodness! I Am Only One Of Two Nurses On Our Staff That Teaches Nrp. We Transfer All Of Our Really Sick Kids Out To Savannah, We Are A Rural Level Ii. We Are Really High In Teenagers And Drug Addicts, But Even They Have Been Delivering Elsewhere. Last Month We Only Had 76 Deliveries. Most Of Which Were Term Healthy Babes. Heard Today That Layoffs Are Now Going To Be Extended To Administration, Which Is Probably Where Most Of The Problem Lies. Have Been Thinking About Making The Two Hour Drive To Our Level Iv Mother Ship. Anybody Commute? Think It's Worth It?

Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).
Have Been Thinking About Making The Two Hour Drive To Our Level Iv Mother Ship. Anybody Commute? Think It's Worth It?

Yeesh.. I drive an hour each way, and that's about my max.. I couldn't imagine spending 4 hours each day just commuting.... JMHO

Specializes in NICU.

So as of last night our official count is eleven over our theoretical census - 69 babies, 58 official beds. The best part is that a full third of the unit (we're broken up in three wings by fire doors) is on MRSA isolation - not all of them have it, but enough do that they've cohorted the whole wing, put a keypad lock on all but one of the doors, and everyone is on contact isolation. As babies get transferred/discharged, the spot is to remain unfilled until the entire pod (usually 3 to a pod) is empty and disinfected, and then that pod goes off isolation. So. Much. Fun. :uhoh3:

Specializes in NICU.
So as of last night our official count is eleven over our theoretical census - 69 babies, 58 official beds. The best part is that a full third of the unit (we're broken up in three wings by fire doors) is on MRSA isolation - not all of them have it, but enough do that they've cohorted the whole wing, put a keypad lock on all but one of the doors, and everyone is on contact isolation. As babies get transferred/discharged, the spot is to remain unfilled until the entire pod (usually 3 to a pod) is empty and disinfected, and then that pod goes off isolation. So. Much. Fun. :uhoh3:

A third of the unit on MRSA isolation?! :eek: Wow.

Specializes in NICU.
A third of the unit on MRSA isolation?! :eek: Wow.

It's ridiculous. I had to report an RT last night for going bed-to-bed (on PROVEN MRSA kids) without a gown (let alone changing it btwn patients) and not Purelling. When I gently pointed out that all the babies were on CI and she needed to gown for each one, she said "I KNOW" and stalked off. I hate tattling, but come on, lady.

The best part is that one of the babies' daddies is a med-mal lawyer. This could get really interesting really fast.

Specializes in NICU.
It's ridiculous. I had to report an RT last night for going bed-to-bed (on PROVEN MRSA kids) without a gown (let alone changing it btwn patients) and not Purelling. When I gently pointed out that all the babies were on CI and she needed to gown for each one, she said "I KNOW" and stalked off. I hate tattling, but come on, lady.

The best part is that one of the babies' daddies is a med-mal lawyer. This could get really interesting really fast.

"I KNOW"?? And yes she still does it? Sheeesh!

We had a lot of MRSA when I first started on the unit, we'd always have at least 1 or 2 isolation pods. But now, I can't even remember the last time we've had an isolation pod or had to gown up for anyone. I sure don't miss it.

Specializes in NICU.
"I KNOW"?? And yes she still does it? Sheeesh!

I know, right? It would have been bad enough had she said something like "Oh, my bad, I forgot" even though it's posted on the doors to the wing and on every baby's bedside, but "I KNOW" full of attitude? :nono: Nopesies.

Sorry to threadjack, as I always do after a long night...

Specializes in NICU and neonatal transport.

We are full to the brim! Most of the UK is really busy right now and always is around Christmas. Plus everyone is leaving in droves because we aren't getting the support and we found out we are being paid less than everywhere else because they can't afford it- which is NOT our fault!

So, we are mad busy and the big boss seems to think that 2 staff is adequate for a room with 3 vents and 3 CPAPs in and they aren't stable either, plus tonight for some reason we have had a term hypoglycaemic baby into our room and the mum was so scared of all the equipment and tiny babies, then said 'where is he going to be?' cos there was obviously no spaces. He is in the middle of the room. Plus we are waiting on a 30wkr. Apparently a few nights ago the Matron and the consultant on call (who is a prof and doesn't like to get his hands dirty) were called in cos there were more mums apperaing and needing a bed NOW. The prof moved some bins out of the room and said there's tons of space. We have babies with no suction/o2 anywhere near because they are all used up. Sometimes I feel like going to the press.:nono:

Still, I love my job xx

The prof moved some bins out of the room and said there's tons of space. We have babies with no suction/o2 anywhere near because they are all used up. Sometimes I feel like going to the press.:nono:

Still, I love my job xx

Over here that could get the hospital shut down. :uhoh21:

Specializes in NICU.
The prof moved some bins out of the room and said there's tons of space. We have babies with no suction/o2 anywhere near because they are all used up. Sometimes I feel like going to the press.:nono:

Here a good call to JCAHO would to the trick...

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