Arterial Sheaths on the floor instead of the Unit

[Paperchasr]

Hello there,

Is it within the standard of care to admit a patient to a short stay floor with an arterial sheath in place instead of a unit?

Thanks,

Paperchasr

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Yes...it depends on the facility.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Have the Short-stay staff been completely inserviced on use, care and feeding of sheaths, emergency procedures, patient assessment, and monitoring, and is there adequate staffing to provide close monitoring and backup immediately available for emergencies?

If yes, then fine.

Otherwise, I'd say probably not.

[Paperchasr]

Thank you for your help.

[Paperchasr]

Thank you, I appreciate the info.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Worked several short stay units. Not one accepted patients with sheaths.

I would have no problem caring for such a patient if I only had at the most 3 patients.

Can't see that happening in a short stay unit, they come and go too fast and before you knew it.. you'd have six patients and one with a sheath!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I have seen these patients return to a PCU where assignments are 5-6/1. The staff are trained on the care and removal of the sheaths. The arterial sheaths are able to be alarmed and remain on pressure bags.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Our medical outpatient unit is responsible for elective heart cath patients that will be discharged following the procedure. They routinely have patients with sheaths in place. However, they have had the training required to handle this patient population. So yes, as long as adequate training has taken place, there is no reason a patient with an arterial sheath requires an ICU admission unless there is another justifiable reason.

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

I agree with the advice here.

IF the nurses are educated and experienced and there is sufficient straff it is OK.

And if the RN removed the sheath the patient will need to be 1:1 for at least 20 to 30 minutes. Two nursing staff staff should be present during the sheath removal.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I used to work on PCU and we would get patients with sheaths in place at times. Everybody had to have an inservice and had competency testing on how to pull a sheath, how to monitor, etc. At least 2 RNs should be in the room with the patient at all times and most of the time you would be in that room for up to 30 minutes, sometimes longer.