Help me, Help the ER...PLEASE!

Hello everyone! I am an ER nurse in a busy community hospital. In order to increase patient flow, I am reviewing and updating our ER protocols. I would love to have input from all of you, regarding any experiences you may have at your facility.

Also, do any of you include beta blockers in your chest pain protocols? How does it work, and how are your results?

Thank you so much for your time and input!!!! (If anyone else would like to know the info, let me know! Glad to share!!!)

Hi.

I work in a Level 1 trauma center and yes we use Metoprolol 5 mg IV q 5 minutes x3 or 50 mg po whichever the case may be but mostly we give it IV. Not everyone gets it. low BP or HR obviously but also if the doctor is pretty positive it is not cardiac as well. Hope this helps.

I have seen beta blockers bring suspected ischemia on the EKG to no ischemia.

Melissa:balloons:

check out 4nursemanagers.com

They have some policies and procedures available to share

we follow the chest pain protocols of 30 minutes door to drug by the ama and the american heart association.

check out ENA-www.ena.org for policy books. Most ERs now refer to specific books for protocols and procedures rather than reinventing the wheel.

Jen