Grlnxtdr88

What kind of security you have in your ER? Do you feel safe with patients? (Psych/ETOH/Overdose) Do you feel safe with their families? Is the ambulance bay secure? Do you feel vulnerable on the off shifts? Is administration responsive to your concerns?

Very much along the same lines but slightly different: Nursing Home, Port-a-cath implanted 3 yrs ago. Port has not been flushed in >8 months. Patient is not a surgical candidate for removal (house MD will not give medical clearance for procedure.) Would be best to keep port but we are unsure about danger of accessing even to aspirate (Is concern valid?). Do they expire? If there is a blood return, is it safe to flush after this length of time? I am the new unit manager and previous RN documented that patient refused (patient states RN had a difficult time with access). MD was unaware until this week. Also, how best to communicate this info in the event of emergency & what is our responsibilty if Emergency Room does access it? (I documented on the face sheet "Do not access port-a-cath to left chestwall... Has not been flushed >8 months).... Does this cover it? Any help would be appreciated.