How best to move an entire ICU to newly constructed building???

joyful nurse · Jun 1, 2005

Oh my gosh, I feel for you! We went through a terrible move 3 years ago for our step-down unit, and are moving the ICU this week! My biggest advice is to ask all different disciplines for review of your plans. Our first move that didn't go well, the manager didn't collaborate well with Respiratory Therapy and Materials. Things that the ICU forgot would have been picked up by RT or materials if they had been more in the loop.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jun 1, 2005

i've participated in several such moves -- it's an adventure!

you're going to want to have your census as low as possible for the move.

have your new unit set up as much as possible before even starting. you'll want to have emergency equipment, etc. all ready to go. things happen. (last time, one of my patients coded en route to the new icu. it was a real experience!) you'll want to divide your supplies -- half on the new unit, half on the old until all your patients are moved.

schedule extra staff -- as many as you can. beg the other icus for overtime, ask for cnas from other parts of the hospital. promise perks like no floating for a month if they help out, or something valued in your institution. get the doctors on board for the move, too.

you'll want to have extra staff just hanging around in both units to fetch supplies, help out with actual physical transfers, etc.

move one patient at a time into the new unit -- have lots of extra staff help get him settled, then when he's all settled go get your next patient. etc. until you've moved everyone. then worry about moving the stuff.

as much as possible, plan every last detail of where you're going to store things before the move, and make sure those storage areas are labelled. let the staff walk through the new unit and familiarize themselves with the location for the emergency equipment, linen, etc.

buy pizza or chinese food or something to feed your staff on the big day. things will be chaotic, but having food around helps somehow. everyone will feel appreciated, and it leads to a more festive atmosphere. (you're going for festive, here. hopefully everyone will have such a good time moving that they'll be willing to float to your unit in the future.)

be prepared for the unexpected . . . it's good insurance anyway.

good luck, and have fun.

masonsmom · Jun 2, 2005

i've participated in several such moves -- it's an adventure!
you're going to want to have your census as low as possible for the move.
have your new unit set up as much as possible before even starting. you'll want to have emergency equipment, etc. all ready to go. things happen. (last time, one of my patients coded en route to the new icu. it was a real experience!) you'll want to divide your supplies -- half on the new unit, half on the old until all your patients are moved.
schedule extra staff -- as many as you can. beg the other icus for overtime, ask for cnas from other parts of the hospital. promise perks like no floating for a month if they help out, or something valued in your institution. get the doctors on board for the move, too.
you'll want to have extra staff just hanging around in both units to fetch supplies, help out with actual physical transfers, etc.
move one patient at a time into the new unit -- have lots of extra staff help get him settled, then when he's all settled go get your next patient. etc. until you've moved everyone. then worry about moving the stuff.
as much as possible, plan every last detail of where you're going to store things before the move, and make sure those storage areas are labelled. let the staff walk through the new unit and familiarize themselves with the location for the emergency equipment, linen, etc.
buy pizza or chinese food or something to feed your staff on the big day. things will be chaotic, but having food around helps somehow. everyone will feel appreciated, and it leads to a more festive atmosphere. (you're going for festive, here. hopefully everyone will have such a good time moving that they'll be willing to float to your unit in the future.)
be prepared for the unexpected . . . it's good insurance anyway.
good luck, and have fun.

thanks for your expertise. we have been planning things for quite a while now and will make the move soon. hopefully we will be as organized as we look on paper!