MuleMarine

We in the ICU tend to agree with your posts. But we're the stepchild of the hospital, usually forced to conform to appease everyone elses needs. The Cardiologists in the cath lab don't understand our concern and usually take issues above our management to appease the needs and concerns of their staff. We've called our state board of nursing and we're finding some good information. Our preliminary findings state something along the lines of RN to RN and no less. I'll keep you posted.

Quick question regarding recieving report from other units. Currently there is a power struggle between management. In the past our Cath lab has had tech's call report to the RN's in the ICU. Although the RN's in the ICU don't feel comfortable with it, is has been standard practice. Now our ICU management is putting thier foot down and forcing the Cath lab to have an RN call report. The cath lab is furious and not conforming. Anyway, to make a long story short is there a standard of practice or JCAHO recomendation, or any other sort that recommends communication of report from one profession to the next? Thanks.

Hey all, my first post, been a closet reader for a while now. I need some direction and advice. I've been an RN for about 8 mo now, today I was OG suctioning an ETOH pt when he coughed some blood tinged, mucousy flem into my eye (not intentionally). I quickly removed suction and washed my eye for about 2 min. Then reported to my Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) on what to do next. I was sent down to employee health where they started a chart and drew some blood on me. The pt's last Hep C panel was in Jul, all "negative". The problem is acquiring the HIV test. The pt's condition has worsened from this AM. He is not alert nor orientated, unable to follow direction, basically he's "Pickled" from ETOH. He is high risk for HIV, Hep C, etc. At this point we are unable to gain consent from this fella. I've chased this thing all the way up to our Chief of Medicine, at which point it's appeared to stall, at least for now. The 2hr prophylaxis is pretty much out the window at this point, since it's been over 8hrs! I'm wondering what avenue of attack I should approach if this continues to be a stalemate? Are there laws that can protect me?