Optilink

My hospital is getting started developing the guidelines to put optilink in place. I want to hear from someone who is using this acuity system currently.

We have used Optilink (PCSS) for several years. What we have found out is that it doesn't weight critical care patients appropriately. For example, one night, we had 2 patients (each with CRRT & IABP) that were 2:1. We had 4 other patients in the unit that were "medium" acuity. PCSS told me that I needed 4 nurses total! I had to argue with the staffing office and tell them that I needed 4 nurses for the 2 patients that were 2:1 and 2 more nurses for the rest of the unit.

I have heard that it works on the step-down units pretty well, we have just had problems with it in CCU. We are currently in the process of meeting with the Optilink rep to see how we can improve the way it acuitizes critical care patients.

Dear CardioRN04,

We are in the midst of actually building and implementing Optilink PCSS and StaffRunner. I would love to speak with you in detail regarding your experience with the product. We have LOTS of questions. Please respond so we can chat in detail. Thanks so much!