eICU

[patccrn]

My hospital has invested much money in eICU which is starting up in April. I offered to help get the program going as a critical care nurse. We had 2 days orientation to the eICU program this week. I felt very overwhelmed by it. If any of you are involved with eICU, how much acceptance or lack of acceptance have you had from the bedside critical care nurses of the program? Is it difficult to become familiar and comfortable with the eICU technology as the eICU nurse? Any other thoughts on the program?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Check out our previous posts about eICU:

https://allnurses.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1717922

[goldenbobcat]

Our hospital has been utilizing the eICU concept for about 6 months ago. The biggest down side from my perspective is that there is no physician present between 0600 and 1800. The eICU has been very useful for the night shift when the doctor is as close as a push of a button. Since we have full computer access in each of our rooms, we can see the exact same things as the eICU staff. Of course they can see it faster since they are not providing patient care. Currently, they are spending alot of time reviewing our patient orders and "suggesting" what we might do. I have been an critical care nurse for +20 years. I do not need someone ringing in to remind me that my patient's SCD's are loose. A great concept being inadequately used.