Hi all, I work on a busy 42 bed ortho/neuro/trauma unit that includes a 6-bed close observation step-down unit. Most patients in step-down are post-op craniotomies with ventrics, multi-traumas with head injuries, several with trachs, etc. Most patients are Q2 hour VS and neuro checks. It's usually staffed with 2 RNs, or RN and LPN, (occasionally RN and CNA). The Chief of Trauma has decided to add telemetry monitorsto this unit for trauma patients that need cardiac monitoring. He says it won't be diagnostic, we may only get these patients occasionally, and he wants to implement this in 8 weeks (there are 70 nurses that will need to be trained for tele). I don't like tele, which is a reason I chose to work on this unit.
Does it sound like they are doing this half-a$$ed (only 8 weeks to implement) and will this be safe for those on tele if we only get patients like this occasionally? They don't plan to increase staffing at all. Most nurses are pretty upset about the whole thing...