Competence level at the cardiac surgical ward

RN12345656 · Sep 24, 2005

Hi! I'm a nurse at the Cardiac Center on Skejby hospital, Denmark. I was wondering how other surgical wards do things.
Here is a short describtion of my ward
The staff is only nurses, but each patient is assignet a fysiotherapist. Each nurse has between 3 and 5 patients and takes care of everything around these patients. That includes, personal hygiene, mobilising the patients, giving meds, go rounds with the physician, preparing for discharge.
Among the things we do to support the patients, and to treat them is: intermittent Whisperflow q4-6 per day, which is a low flow (15 L/min) CPAP system. IV amiodarone as bolus - contineous infusion as taken care of at the cardiac stepdown unit. We do VAC-treatment of sternal infection. We also have telemetry.
The 2 primary types of patients we treat is, of course, CABG and valve but also PTEA operations.
The standard lenght of stay is 5 days before discharge to local hospital or home. But complications is getting more common, due to more patients with diabetes, preoperative renalfailure and patients getting older.

Sounds like we are doing the same nursing care in the states as you are in Denmark--except for total care of the pt. Where I work, we have 4 pts (day & night shift). Nurses aides help with beds, baths, blood sugars, D/C peripheral and central lines, and ambulating the pts (the responsibilites of the nurses aide differs from state to state). It sounds like you are very busy. I wouldn't question your competence-maybe the quality of care :)

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 24, 2005

Hi! I'm a nurse at the Cardiac Center on Skejby hospital, Denmark. I was wondering how other surgical wards do things.
Here is a short describtion of my ward
The staff is only nurses, but each patient is assignet a fysiotherapist. Each nurse has between 3 and 5 patients and takes care of everything around these patients. That includes, personal hygiene, mobilising the patients, giving meds, go rounds with the physician, preparing for discharge.
Among the things we do to support the patients, and to treat them is: intermittent Whisperflow q4-6 per day, which is a low flow (15 L/min) CPAP system. IV amiodarone as bolus - contineous infusion as taken care of at the cardiac stepdown unit. We do VAC-treatment of sternal infection. We also have telemetry.
The 2 primary types of patients we treat is, of course, CABG and valve but also PTEA operations.
The standard lenght of stay is 5 days before discharge to local hospital or home. But complications is getting more common, due to more patients with diabetes, preoperative renalfailure and patients getting older.

:balloons: Hello and Welcome to Allnurses.com:balloons:

Your unit sounds very familiar. We still use much Lidocaine here in the rural areas, but, utilize Amio as well. As for the age of the population, yes, and this will continue to be a factor.

Great to have you here with us and hope to see more of your posts.

DianeS, RN · Sep 25, 2005

Hi! I'm a nurse at the Cardiac Center on Skejby hospital, Denmark. I was wondering how other surgical wards do things.
Here is a short describtion of my ward
The staff is only nurses, but each patient is assignet a fysiotherapist. Each nurse has between 3 and 5 patients and takes care of everything around these patients. That includes, personal hygiene, mobilising the patients, giving meds, go rounds with the physician, preparing for discharge.
Among the things we do to support the patients, and to treat them is: intermittent Whisperflow q4-6 per day, which is a low flow (15 L/min) CPAP system. IV amiodarone as bolus - contineous infusion as taken care of at the cardiac stepdown unit. We do VAC-treatment of sternal infection. We also have telemetry.
The 2 primary types of patients we treat is, of course, CABG and valve but also PTEA operations.
The standard lenght of stay is 5 days before discharge to local hospital or home. But complications is getting more common, due to more patients with diabetes, preoperative renalfailure and patients getting older.

Welcome! Sounds like this is about what we do on my floor also. However, we have aides who do most of the personal hygeine, mobilizing, blood sugars, etc. I would love to learn more about nursing in Denmark. If you would like a buddy in the US, please send me a personal message. Would love to hear from you! :balloons: