patccrn

It has been interesting. So far, the director hasn't shown any data as to know how beneficial eICU is. Still is a great deal of lack of understanding vs. not wanting to accept or know anything about eICU from the physicians/nurses in our major hospital that eICU is based out of. We only have an intensivist on night shift in eICU, no dr. on days. I believe the small ICU in the smaller town does accept the concept of eICU better and the physicians have given the intensivist more leeway in caring for their patients during the night shift hrs. Still so much politics in my bigger institution and lack of acceptance of new things that might improve pt. care. But eICU is not going away as my institution spent big bucks buying the system. Many nurses in ICU feel it is an intrusion and it comes across in the tone of their voices when talking to them on the phone. We try not to intrude if we camera in and see the nurses are providing care unless we really have a necessary question to ask. But it is still new for us, so maybe this will get better. We probably are monitoring around 80 ICU beds now with more coming on line in Aug. and the latter part of the year.

I wish I could answer your questions, but our eICU doesn't open till April 4. Very good questions. I will send another note on how we are doing after it has been opened and see if I have some input on the questions asked.

Thanks also for your input. I appreciate it.

Thanks for your input. I have mixed feelings about eICU, but have offered to do some shifts to help it get started.

My hospital has invested much money in eICU which is starting up in April. I offered to help get the program going as a critical care nurse. We had 2 days orientation to the eICU program this week. I felt very overwhelmed by it. If any of you are involved with eICU, how much acceptance or lack of acceptance have you had from the bedside critical care nurses of the program? Is it difficult to become familiar and comfortable with the eICU technology as the eICU nurse? Any other thoughts on the program?

My hospital invested in eICU that is starting up in April. I offered to help as an RN to get the unit started. We had 2 days orientation this week which I felt was very overwhelming. For those of you that work with eICU, what acceptance or lack of acceptance have you had from critical care RNs working at the bedside? Does it take long to get comfortable with eICU technology? I would appreciate any input any of you have on this. I am in Wichita KS.