In the old days, 10 patients on med/surg?

Specialties Med-Surg

Published

You gotta explain something to me about the ways things used to be. I see posts all the time about having an astronomical number of patients to care for "way back when." What was different then than now? I can, depending on acuity, manage seven on tele-med/surg, but a few of them (three, at least) would need to be independent with toileting and hygiene, and I would need a good CNA to work with.

Something had to be different, but I can't figure out what. Was it less charting? Was it more efficient floor layout? (There is one unit I work on that you have to walk a minimum of 30 feet one way from the closest room to get fresh water or non-Pyxis supplies, and it's 150 feet one way for the furthest room!) is it patient expectations? Is it fewer home meds? A combo of all?

Specializes in Nsg. Ed, Infusion, Pediatrics, LTC.

I had 6-8 on day shift Med/Surg way back when. You were fortunate if you had a PCA and if you did, you shared them with another district. I do not miss it at all.

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