Biffbradford

Biffbradford specializes in ICU.

Latest Activity

1. ACLS Certification

   Biffbradford replied to Java Mama's topic in General Nursing

   Right on. Is it a lethal rhythm or not? Is lethal? Can I shock it? Then I'm gonna shock it! Can I pace it? Then I'm gonna pace it. It's not so bad. :) In 3 hospitals over 19 years, I can't remember a cardiologist or electrophysiologist ever saying ...

2. Medsurg nurse interviewing for CICU

   Biffbradford replied to JustKeepSmiling's topic in CCU

   Congratulations. I went the other route ... started in a CVICU and moved to step down. Like you said, crazy busy but now I'm not worrying about someone crashing every day and if they do begin to go sour, it's not up to me to fix 'em. Did that for >...

3. ICU RN Report- How does your unit do it?

   Biffbradford replied to seamel's topic in Critical

   Best ICU (CVICU) I worked in had a clip board for each room, so each patient had their own report sheet. It was re-writen on NOCs and updated throughout the day. Format and content was determined by a committee of nurses. Report was easy, you went fr...

4. Could anyone help me better understand this code ?

   Biffbradford replied to neurontin's topic in CCU

   Once had a VAD pt in slow VTach for a WEEK. Rhythm was unresponsive to all therapies, but the VAD still kept pumping so BP was fine. Final outcome not good. Crazy stuff.

5. nursing care for chest tube of cabg patient

   Biffbradford replied to Altin's topic in Critical

   Yeah, I refrain from 'stripping' but will resort to that if it means getting a big honking clot out of there and preventing sending the guy back to surgery for tamponade! I remember one nurse that spent her whole 12 hour shift milking and stripping c...

6. Transvascular Aortic Valve Implantation

   Biffbradford replied to SBURNSTEVEN's topic in CCU

   Boy, if I ever face some time on the table, CUT ME OPEN. I want that surgeon looking and smelling with his own eyes and nose, cutting and sewing with his own talented hands. :)

7. Most drips at once

   Biffbradford replied to delphine22's topic in MICU

   I don't remember what they all were, but I recall an ECMO patient that had 4 stacks of Baxter double pumpers. (not the official term) :) Two stacks on each side of the bed and prob. 4 high (you could go more but the pole got real unstable) so that wo...

8. Insight for a successful transition from CCU to CVSICU?

   Biffbradford replied to Asherah's topic in CCU

   More like 'fight' the Grim Reaper, if he really want's 'em, he'll take 'em.

9. Serious about critical care, RN

   Biffbradford replied to pinkflamingo72's topic in Critical

   Hard to say. Be courteous but curt with your time. Get in, get it done, and get out. Even in the ICU where you 'only' have 2 patients, you have to pick one to start with. Do you see the 'easy' one first? Or the 'hard' one? I usually go with the sick...

10. Your PROPOFOL stories wanted

    Biffbradford replied to RNNCcicu98's topic in CCU

    Nothing earth shattering to share from here. Stay on top of a spare bottle for the on coming shift and I'll change the tubing a little early if it's going to be due on the next shift (usually Q12hrs). Love it though!

11. Serious about critical care, RN

    Biffbradford replied to pinkflamingo72's topic in Critical

    Welcome to Allnurses! :) Where do YOU feel that you can make some improvements? That would be a good place to start.

12. Fluid bolus by gravity or pump?

    Biffbradford replied to delphine22's topic in MICU

    Have done it both ways. In a code situation we've even 'squeezed in' fluid or blood.

13. Could anyone help me better understand this code ?

    Biffbradford replied to neurontin's topic in CCU

    Can you actually *FEEL* a pulse? Art lines are great, but they do go bad.

14. Infective endocarditis, influenza, fully ventilated.

    Biffbradford replied to nurseinsa's topic in CCU

    His family will just have to corner the attending physician and bombard him/her with questions. Perhaps it's time for a family conference where you gather the docs and a nurse and talk about his current treatment and future plans. In 15 years of ICU ...

15. Propofol Increasing HR?

    Biffbradford replied to MallysMama's topic in MICU

    Interesting. I once had a heart patient on Dobutamine but the cardiac index was still a lousy 1.8. Surgeon suggested turning it off, that on rare occasion is has an opposite affect, I did ... and the index immediately came up to 2.5. Hah!