Priorities?

Here is a book on the subject: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.cws_home/707261/description#description

I haven't read it so I don't know how great it is, but it should be on Amazon with reviews. I am going to pick up a copy as well!

the abcs actually are extracted from maslow's hierarchy of needs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs

adpie is the steps of the nursing process and that has to do with problem solving and decision making.

this is also what our school teaches (prioritizing based on maslow's hierarchy of needs)

Prioritization is probably being emphasized because it is an essential component of Time management & Critical Thinking. One of the universal characteristics of a newbie (in any profession) is difficulty in time management due to the fact that everything is assigned the same priority. With experiece, the ability to prioritize improves.

Maslow is one way to prioritize, but in bedside care, you can use a more practical method. Sort everything in to just 3 categories:

1. Must do it Now (to prevent patient harm or compromise patient safety)

2. Need to do it Soon - within 2 - 4 hours

3. Should be done - try to do it before the end of the shift

Using this scheme, it is obvious that anything that affects the 'big 3' (airway, breating, circulation) is a Must, so it is congruent with Maslow. Obviously, if you let the 'shoulds' slide for too long, some of them have a nasty habit of turning into 'musts' when you least expect it - LOL.