ICU RNs running CRRT?

[liz0105]

Hi everyone,

I'm curious to know if any ICU RN's out there are currently practicing in an ICU where they are called upon to do CRRT at the bedside. Currently, all HD/CRRT/SLED are done by HD RNs in our hospital, but there is an initiative to train ICU RNs to do CRRT (only). We have been told that the ratio for this assignment would be 1:1...

Just curious to know anyone's experience with this. Thanks in advance!

[Fumanchuesday]

Our ICU RNs do CRRT. It is 1:1. It's not a big deal... probably much easier than you think... the machine basically runs itself

[3fins]

CRRT is 1:1 in our ICU.

I'm appalled to hear the staffing ratios at other facilities are anything but 1:1. Maybe our dialysis machines are just old, but between changing bags of fluid, titrating drips, drawing labs, calling docs, documentation, managing the machine, etc.etc. it's a full time job.

I've never heard of stable patients being on CRRT, they are all on pressors and have multiple other issues to manage. That's why they're on CRRT.

Someone mentioned 3:1 or receiving admissions to open beds during CRRT. You do have a right to refuse an assignment; legally, and for the sake of your license, this would likely be a good idea.