Dyno

Hi, I'm curious to know what others hospital policies are regarding removal of epicardial pacing wires post cardiac surgery Our policy requires baseline obs, remove wires, obs x2 30 minutes apart, pt to remain in bed 1 hour, watch for signs of tampon...

Hi Sharron, thankyou for your reply, only 4 years later but who's counting LOL. I am no longer in cardiac surgical now, transferred to cardiac investigations but the policy is still the same for pacing wire removals in our hospital. I never found any...

You're on mate, I'd love to swap yarns about our first green years, especially with your o/s nursing experience. Cheers.

Hey Fran, I know what you mean about those chairs-tables, up the back wasn't so bad cause you could observe everyone but the noise could get annoying & my eyesight took a beating over the 3 years (I eventually gave in & got glasses, only need...

Oh Tookie, is that an unwooded chardonay & some tasty Coon?? cheers.

Hi everyone, I have only just found this Australian segment of allnurse, been logging on for a few years. I trained as an EN in Whyalla Hospital in 1979 (yes we wore caps but they were cardboard by then) I was very proud the day I received my 'stripe...

Saw a concert with Russel Morris, Ian Moss, John Swann & Peter Couples at local service club few months ago (real cheap) Also saw Suzie Quatro at Tweeds last weekend & off to see Rolling Stones this Tuesday. Suzie rocked! Don't stop the music...

Sounds like this party is going to be a real beaut, don't you just love those CS cowboys.

Glad to be of help, don't forget they will probably want some money too!! We had a huge class of 2000, over 250 graduates, it was impossible to know everyone but what a coincidence that you graduated the same year at QUT. What type of nursing are yo...

Hi Fran, as a QUT nurse I know for sure they have a badge (we all got one on graduation) You probably need to show proof of attendence to purchase one. I was at QUT 1996-2000, graduated in 2000, been at TPCH since. Hope you are keeping warm in UK, c...

Thanks for your reply Bob, hope your wife has fully recovered from her surgery, she sure had some major work done. Maybe the extra precautions (vitals & RIB) are because we are over precautious if an incident occurs & the threat of legal act...

Doesn't anyone take out pacing wires??? Maybe they are called something different in the states?? Help??

Mario, have a look at an anatomy book, the pleural cavity (a potential space) is NOT connected to the trachea. In fact, it is not connected to any other structure. The visceral pleura lines the lungs & the parietal pleura lines the thoracic cavit...

Very interesting post Angus. I have had to flush pleural cavities also. Usually a pt with empyema following lobectomy or chest injury. Betadine flush used, 100mls (1/2 water) in & let drain into UWSD. Heimlich valve would have been my guess also ...

Hi Shar, the 'ice test' is a test used to assess the nerve block of the epidural. By placing an ice cube on the pt's skin, the extent of the nerve block from an epidural can be assessed. For example, it is pointless giving a bolus of analgesia if t...

Like snickers we use a lot of epis on our ward for thoracic surgery. We also have standing orders for boluses & rate increases with strict guidlines in place regarding observations, positioning, always do ice-test first to check positioning &...

I forgot, sometimes pleural blocks are used too, but not very often. Hope this helps Megan

That should read... "often the LEG grafts, if used, cause more pain"

In our hospital pts are usually given a morphine PCA. Whilst intubated, a background (usually 0.5 mg/hr) is used plus nurse initiated boluses (1-2mg). Once extubated, paracetamol is incorporated. If allergic to morphine, fentanyl PCA is used. Once ...

Where I work we have very few permanent night workers, we all rotate. I have just come off my '5 nights every 5 weeks' and am still trying to catch up with the world. Because of this set up, we have no aminosity between shifts, each can appreciate th...

Thats ok Mooshie.. yes better pay & safer working conditions combined with how to entice young people into the profession. Highlighting the positives of nursing & giving it 'street cred' are ongoing challenges. I'm glad we don't have the co...

You might be a nurse if.. You automatically head in the direction of an electronic beeping sound ..

Hey Aero, why should your employer be responsible for the cost of your education?, yes they may receive some benefits (if you stay on in that workplace), what if you move on , who benefits the? You ofcourse! Maybe some study days could be negotiated...

Didn't know I was striking in Queensland...better read the papers!

Not sure Val why you don't think you have rights, maybe your working environment doesn't foster them. All nurses have rights, as all employees and human beings do.. Right to ... safe working environment including non-violence, hazardous materials, n...