PCT/CNA Patient Load in Hospital Setting Question

[RedneckGrl]

Ok, I just have a quick question for all you PCT's out there. I work on the surgical floor in a fairly big hospital and due to budget and everything they changed the staffing grid and now we are only "allowed" like 1 PCT per like 15-16 patients with one PCT having like 9 patients. Well today I had 9 patients from 7a-11a then brought in another one but in those 4 hours I ran my behind off answer call light after call light and actually have 4 patients lined up on a internal wait list because the nurses needed assistance because pretty much all nine of my patient's needed assistance with toileting and turning every 2 hours and so on, not to mention meals and baths which didn't get too far on those. Is this normal for other facilities out there? We used to be able to have at least 2 PCT's on the floor to help with the load but they changed the way they do staffing and have cut back. I just don't see this as safe for the patient's for one but also not being able to take care of patient's needs or answer call lights promptly like we should.

Any thoughts??

[JDZ344]

I would love to have 9 patients. I normally have anything from 10-30, depending on call ins!

[jesnsmi1LPN]

I used to be a pct. I had a full CPU and medsurg floor. Anywhere from 11-25 patients all by myself then they had their nursing staff depending on matrix. So 9 is nothing compared to what it could be. My advice is to just get a set schedule of when things need to be done and stick to it as good as you can. Things are always gonna happen when you think you're ahead and then in return put you behind. But just stay focused.

[joshsmother]

I have been on the floor alone for 3 days as a PCT. I have been split on 3 halls with 13 patients, split on 2 halls with 14 patients, and then had only 10 but they all needed total care. It is what it is. I do my best and chart every single thing so my 12 hours of work is well documented.

[veroniicaxoxo]

I would love nine. I work on a very very busy PCU floor. On any night we get 2 to 15 admissions, about three codes a nights, many code greys involving security due to angry family members. We have to do vitals every 4 hours, so thats three times a shift. There usually all complete care. Most of the time i'll have 15-20 patients on my own. The floor has 46 rooms but most have 2 beds. And sometimes the one aide will have the whole floor to herself. So please do not complain about nine patients I would love nine patients.

[gummi bear]

usually 13-15 patients or about 30 with the floor by myself. I'd love 9 patients

[ANDRE731]

I understand it can be overwhelming, must of us have been there. Just take it one step/one minute at a time. Sooner or later you will find your groove and laugh to yourself that you stressed over this.

[farah1]

The normal is 11-12 patients and sometimes 16 depending on census. We have to do vitals every 4 hours, and even transport not including other normal stuff . So be happy, 9 patients would be lovely for me.

[funtimes]

I agree for a med/surg/telemetry unit(or PCU), 10 to 12 seems like a typical load, and is pretty much what it is where I work. If census is down we may get less, and occasionally we'll get more. The most Ive had is 19, but that usually just happens when we get swamped with admissions and they arent able to call somebody else in.

I should add that we dont have to do blood draws or ECGs where I work though, so I guess that makes it a tad easier.

veronicaxoxo.....what do you mean when you say you see 3 codes a night? You cant possibly mean code blue where the patient goes into full arrest and isnt a no code? Ive seen 4 on my floor the entire year and I work full time. I cant imagine anywhere near that many unless they are intentionally killing their patients.

[farah1]

Maybe it is a hospice floor. Where I work, hospice is on the 5th floor and we here codes there all the time, the only ones we don't here about are the DNR's.

[veroniicaxoxo]

we have rrt's and codes they are announced as the same thing over the speakers so basically some protocol as code blue, little less severe. However we've had a few code ice's come in and ICU be full and the code ice had to stay on our floor. which requires 2 nurses for that one patient let me tell you that night was horrible.

But yes legit code blues I've been there since june and seen 3. I work full time as well.

[boogalina, ADN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN]

ICU CNA in a 30-bed unit. Up to 20 patients we have 1 CNA. Over 20, usually two. When there is 1 CNA, the focus is on helping with bed baths, turns/repositioning (although a dedicated turn team rounds Q2hrs), stocking room pass-throughs and desk duty (relieve unit clerk). Codes - compressions or runner. Of course, throw out garbage/dispose of soiled linen Q shift/as needed.

When there are 2 CNAs, ratios are 1:10-15. Add CBG checks to the above duties.

When I float to step-down or med-surg, 1:10 up to 1:15 ratio.

As with any health care job, start your shift with a good plan, know your resources, and fill down time (if there is any) with room preps, etc as it saves time to have this done before an admit comes rolling in.