can ICU nurse handle 2 pts on the levophed same time

Specialties CCU

Published

Hello!

I am a med/surge nurse that need to transfer my pt to ICU with order for levophed.

Registry ICU refused to take the pt citing government policy for not to keep 2 icu pts

with levophed at the same time. I end up stuck with a critical pt over 1 hour when

they find another ICU nurse.

Just want to ask if it is true for what registry nurse said. I am really mad if

he is a lazy ICU nurse that want to pick up easy pt.

thanks for your feedback

snoopy 54321

Specializes in Trauma/Critical Care.
Hello!

I am a med/surge nurse that need to transfer my pt to ICU with order for levophed.

Registry ICU refused to take the pt citing government policy for not to keep 2 icu pts

with levophed at the same time. I end up stuck with a critical pt over 1 hour when

they find another ICU nurse.

Just want to ask if it is true for what registry nurse said. I am really mad if

he is a lazy ICU nurse that want to pick up easy pt.

thanks for your feedback

snoopy 54321

:confused:

I will give that ICU nurse the benefit of the doubt...

Maybe the reason why she refused the new patient was because her other patient was very unstable??

Just saying...:twocents:

Specializes in MICU/SICU/CVICU.

Or maybe it was a nurse who doesn't usually work ICU and was already in over his/her head? Some units will pull nurses from stepdown when they're desperate with the intention of only giving them "walkie-talkie" patients, but we've seen how that sometimes works out...

Specializes in ICU.

It is common for CVICU nurses in my area to have two patient that are are both on ventilators and multiple stacks of drips each. You know you're going to be busy when you discover that you've got ~ a dozen IV drips total to swap out the bags and tubing because they outdate on your shift. Better get 'crack'n!

2 pts. and each of them is on Levo, is a great assignment for me. H--- I have had 2(vented pts. on levo.dopa, epi, blood sugar checks every hour. Alot to do about nothing, some people will always create a nightmare out of any assignment. You give them 2 pt.s on NS and they're screaming

LOL! the registry nurse was being lazy or didn't know what the hell she was doing(the more likely case). we all(icu) have had plenty of nights where both patients are on Norepi gtt's. its not that big of deal. i think you are going to find that while there are some awesome Registry Rn's out there, quite a few oversell themselves and can be quite dangerous....

I can't understand how the RN had any say in whether to accept the transfer or not! Our charge nurse, the bed control nurse and the triage MD make those decisions. The receiving nurse is not even involved. Just saying . . .

well you can always refuse an assignment(i have yet to try this), but i would if, say they tried to give me a 2nd patient with a CRRT or IABP or Fresh heart....

Specializes in CCRN-CSC.

i too find this is funny! I've had a 2 pt assignment when one pt was on levo & vaso while the other was on dopa & levo! Glad that admin stepped in to oust such a lazy disgrace...

Specializes in ICU.

Depends if they are stable or not and if you are actively titrating.

Specializes in CCRN-CSC.

I tend to err on the side that a ICU patient is never stable till they get transferred...

Specializes in Critical Care.

Clearly, an ICU nurse can handle 2 patients on drips, vents etc.... but the documentation becomes a nightmare because CMS expects perfect charts such as restraint documentation. We utilize online charting and the detailed charting is ridiculous. Oh and ALL the Interruptions...24 hour family presence.... residents who can't carry their weight. I really feel they want a perfect chart but whether you do the care or not doens't really matter. It's a very scary at the bedside sometimes.... when I see a nurse charting at 0805, has 2 patient assignmnet.....so what care did they provide.....did they even turn the patient. Interesting how oral care, a basic need, has been researched and proven to be important but you find the toothbrush still in plastic and the patient has been in the unit for 3 days. But it is charted as completed.

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

Ridiculous. Nurses in my ICU have two patients with multiply gtt nearly every shift. Levophed is among the easiest of the gtts to manage.

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