Hi,
I was wondering what your patient loads are like in the States, I work in an orthopaedic Ward in New Zealand where we have acute and elective surgery. Tonight I had six patients 3 of whom where post op. I will describe a bit about them so you can see what loads we have and compare with your own.
1, Knee joint replacment, post op dropped BP, stat gelofusin, PCA could not start that as Systolic BP below 90had to get IV tramadol started...lots of trouble controling pain. IV antibiotics Post op today my duty
2, Non union, fractur tibial plateau, bed to chair for six weeks, needing to be taken to toilet etc.
3, Spinal Bifida lady with cellulitis, total cares cannot roll herself. on airbed. IV antibiotics. refuses to do alot for herself despite nothing wrong with hands having to constantly irrigate IDC.
4, Day 2 Revision THJR, IV antibiotics.
5, police Officer dog handler injured while apprehending suspect. repair of Patella tendon, post op, unable to mobalise at this stage. reg S/cut Morphine. Post op today my duty
6, long term patient with infected thigh wound and septicemia, post op washout and application of vac dressing. requires to be taken to toilet on commode chair also had heparin infusion running. IV antibiotics via PICC line. Post ob today my duty
these were my patients tonight 3 required total washes. We make up all our antibiotics and have to have all narcotics and any injectible drugs checked by 2 nurses and signed by two also. This takes time and we spend time looking for another nurse to sign and check drugs.
So I was just wondering what its like for others.
We also go down to PACU and pick up our patients and have a handover from the nurse there.