Let's create the Perfect Hospital!

[ScarlettRN]

After reading the threads about staffing ratios and the shortage, I thought it would be fun to create our own hospital....done the right way! What would Perfect Medical Center be like? In my world....

In Perfect Hospital, there would be an RN to do the assessments and to put out all the fires that get lit during the shift. There would be an LPN to pass meds and an Aide to do patient care. The patient load could stand to be a bit higher with 3 people looking after them and this group would be a team that always works together when they are there at the same time....or have the same schedule so they always work together. They would have to get along and respect each other, but their patients would get the best care available!

There would always be an available unit secretary. The RN would be able to sign off orders and call the docs as needed. In Perfect Hospital, there would be patient transporters and/or runners available every shift. There would be no floating to strange units, as all units would be closed, but because of the excellent staffing, it would be no problem calling in someone if the census takes a huge jump.

Hmmm, what else am I forgetting for Perfect Hospital? I haven't even STARTED on the ED for this facility!

[ScarlettRN]

I almost forgot, what think you all of attaching a little trash can directly to the IV pole? Would it not be awesome to not have to search for the trash can after changing a piggy back?

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

We have small trashcans behiond the poles.

Personally i wouldn't want to cart around a dumpster while i walked around recovering.

[TartarSauce]

Originally posted by 3rdShiftGuy

Doctors at our beck and call 24/7. They call us every hour on the hour, and are in house. They have to go through sensitivity training on how to handle themselves professionally.

8888888888888888

GEORGE W CHANGED THE STANDARDS OF ER CARE LAST MONTH. NO SUCH THANG as 24/7 "on call" docs.

EMTALA.COM

PERFECT HOSPITAL STARTS/END WITH LOTS OF $$$$$$..

I LIKE YOUR POSTINGS.

it is nice to dream..

[OBNurseShelley]

HUGE ROOMS with COMFORTABLE beds for post-partum and dads! I definately like the idea of a floor pharmacy, or at least a tube system! ah well, keep dreaming this is fun!

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Originally posted by OBNurseShelley

HUGE ROOMS with COMFORTABLE beds for post-partum and dads!

WE GOT IT!

, or at least a tube system!

We have the Pevco! This should be a requirement for everywhere. No one has to leave the floor at night to take labs down or to go and get meds. Forget a paper when a pt. was transfered? Put it in a tube, push the code for the floor it goes to. This thing is the neatest thing since sliced bread.

[ScarlettRN]

This is a quote from Betty: GEORGE W CHANGED THE STANDARDS OF ER CARE LAST MONTH. NO SUCH THANG as 24/7 "on call" docs.

EMTALA.COM

From EMTALA.COM: "Adopting a general "rule of reason" approach for on-call obligations, and explicitly disavowing any numerical rule of thumb. "

Adopted. "The hospital is not required to have 24 hour coverage in ALL specialties if it cannot reasonably do so. The hospital must adopt written standards to govern situations in which a particular specialty is not available. A very significant addition is the fact that some specialty coverage may now be provided by means other than the specialist coming to the emergency room. Thus, for the first time, referral to the specialist's office (if expressly provided in the written protocols) may be appropriate for certain hospitals with limited specialty coverage. "

I really hate when the President of the United States is blamed for everything wrong in the world. I am suprised he wasn't blamed for the earthquakes in Iran and CA last week.

It is okay to disagree politically, but at least make it something legitimate.

[Flynurse]

Originally posted by ScarlettRN

Admissions would be controlled so they don't all come to the floor at the same time.

It would not take an hour to admit patients.

History and home meds would be stored in the computer and much of it available to pull up on subsequent admissions so I don't have to spend 20 minutes asking about history of COPD, MI, renal, liver, diabetes, etc....including FAMILY's medical history!

Care plans would be on computer so diagnosis would automatically trigger certain nursing diagnoses also.

We were talking about something like this on our unit the other day when our new Director of Nursing decided to "prepare" us for the upcoming nursing shortage. Her idea was to hire MORE non-licensed people to do unlicensed jobs. We thought!!!HEY! What about hiring ward clerks for the ER to put together the charts, enter orders into the computer, and get the damn ball rolling before it gets to our floor!!! :) Can you imagine how much time we would save just by having those things done ahead of time? Then, it wouldn't be so horrible to take two addmissions in one hour.

WoW!!!

Melissa

[Fairlythere, ASN, RN]

Forget the handwriting. The docs enter their own orders at the computer while they are looking up their vital signs, labs, and reading the nurses notes.

Tweety, I am so excited. As a new grad having done clinicals, I have just learned in orientation that they are right now setting up this program where all docs WILL enter orders on the computer. They will be checked and verified by the unit clerks and then of course the RN's. We already have all our charting and meds on computer and the labs and imaging as well as the assessments are all available for the docs to see at their office or when they come in.

Oh, and I am going to be working on a brand new remodeled floor. The rooms are large, all windowed, and every room has a ceiling lift in it!! Now if they can only find enough slings for them...