RN driving table while sedating

Specialties Radiology

Published

I am a Rad nurse of 2 years. Total 30 yrs as RN almost all in ED Level 1 trauma center. I have done conscious/moderate sedation in ED for adults and children and in Ambulatory Surgery. I was trained that the sedating nurse is to have one duty-sedate and constant monitoring of pt. I am able to do this during the day in Radiology (angio). Sedation cases are done with a Radiologist, a scubbed in tech and a circulating tech/table driver and an RN. The problem is on-call, the second tech is not there. The doctor and scrub tech do not drive, they expect the sedation nurse to drive the table and run for supplies, etc. In the middle of the night, these pt's are SICK often bleeding, needing transfused, unstable VS. I am sedating and I am expected to stay at the end of the table to drive. Is this acceptable practice in other angio suites? I have talked to several people outside this hospital working in cath labs and angio suites. They tell me the RN is expected to monitor her pt without other duties and also that is it not "legal" for an RN to be driving the table. They say that their doctor and tech are very capable of driving the table themselves during the procedure. I don't fluoro, I do mag up and down, cone in, file pictures, etc. Is this "legal".

I just want to know what accepted practice is. I feel I am putting my pt's at risk, not being able to stay focused on their status and not being at the head of the bed to observe them continuously. Appreciate any input.

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
... driving the table themselves during the procedure.

Sorry, I know the question is not directed at me, but what does that mean, "drive" the table?

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Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Zoe, when the Radiologist presses on the fluoro pedal to activate fluoroscopy, someone must move ("drive") the table in order to image where the catheter or wire is (either is being advanced in the vessels).

Is that too wordy?????? I'm always wordy . . . .

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

i do conscious sedation in medical imaging. our policy is the rn administering the drugs has only one function and that is to stay with and to monitor the patient until report is given to the next receiving nurse which is usually same day surgery.

:wlcmggrp:

welcome to allnurses!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I think this is what you are looking for: "4. The registered nurse managing and monitoring the patient receiving and analgesia sedation shall have no other responsibilities during the procedure." This is from the AANA and I think there is almost an exact statement from the ASA also.

Here is the link: http://www.aana.com/resources.aspx?ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=51&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=4&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6&id=706

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Zoe, when the Radiologist presses on the fluoro pedal to activate fluoroscopy, someone must move ("drive") the table in order to image where the catheter or wire is (either is being advanced in the vessels).

Is that too wordy?????? I'm always wordy . . . .

Ah, thank you.

No thank you, I want the nurse's full attention while she is administering my medication :)

Nerdy, I heard you weredy. Not necessarily wordy.

heh heh... ;)

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wtbcrna and DutchgirlRN,

Thank you very much for the link and info. This is great ammunition supporting my concerns about the current practice in my dept.

Rad RNs-Does anyone know if nurses driving the fluoro table is violating any Rad. regulations.

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