Insulin and Levophed drips on cardiovascular unit

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This is something new coming to us nurses on the floor, we have 4 pts each but somedays it can be 5 pts. We have an A side which is the more critical and post op day 1 CABG's then the B side which aren't as critical. Total of 48 rooms.

These drips are usually managed in the ICU, any tips or points to bring up in the future unit meetings? Many of us are worried.

OP I hope you can find another job. This is one of the many crazy "bright ideas" I've heard lately. I hope the floor invested in more crash carts. Sorry you are going through this.

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Had my first experience with having an insulin drip with having 4 patients, plus an empty room I was praying would stay empty. With 2 very needy patients on the call light every 5 mins, plus every hour accuchecks on day 1 open heart patient, I worked 14.90 hours straight thru no lunch. Next day got even worse. From all the stress I've been home sick the last 2 days, the stress made my body run down and positive for strep.

I don't know what to think of this, we are getting them right and left.

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Specializes in LTC, Alzheimer's patients,Cardiac.

I work on a PCU unit in Illinois and we never have Levo drips BUT have insulin drips all the time. Our patient ratio is usually 4:1 but sometimes 5:1. It is interesting to hear how much these units vary in different locations.

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Get a new job. I keep a little egg in the bank just in case I need to quit without any notice, or job in hand. It's a matter of time where someone dies because of this. Don't let it be on you.

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Since last post I have taken another job offer. Completely separating from the hospital, sad to have to leave after 5 yrs there but my nursing license is on the line everyday there.

Our TL always has this fake smile on like she gives 2 poops about all of us, but will also throw anyone under the bus. I've had enough there, my family has suffered from me being mean when getting home, can't sleep the night before work and the nights when I return the next day. Anxiety is through the roof. Nursing is changing, it's not about the pt but how much $$$ and that's very sad.

Thank u all for the input.

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Good for you! Congrats

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