AJACKSON1048

Big debate at my icu unit. currently using ice water.. New doctor came and states we are to use room temp for the cardiac injectate and also not to disconnect the injection port from the system. I have took a stand with him because any place I have ever worked we used room temp. and when you disconnect you have caused a huge infection concern. Anyone agree or disagree?

I work in a 16 bed icu. This to is an issue between us. Our policy now is from 11am to 8pm with no rest periods. I have a hard time for a few reasons. 1. I find it hard to do my assessments and medication due to the questions about every little thing. We just do it without thinking, to stop and explain takes a lot of time.. some families challenge from the knowledge bank from the internet. 2. pts feel obligated to visit with them and they want them there but their usually to weak to visit but push themselves to do so. vented pts do better I feel right on the brink of cons. so I titrate my dipro so if I call their name they can respond. Families try to wake them up. even after much education and sometime down to the point of rudeness on our part about don't stimulate or talk to them to much. 3. They bring in food and drinks and the pt's 9/10 times are npo. 4. infection rate. we have started a studie about families that come in and don't wash thier hands and if it has any effect on our pts. 5. night shift allows people to spend the night (depending on the nurse) then we come in and our four hour window to do the bath, assess, medication, doctors rounds is shot. We are off to a bad shift. The other thing I have a problem with is a pt codes and the family refuses to leave the room and asking a million questions and you need the crash cart and everything else.

I work in a 16 bed icu. This to is an issue between us. Our policy now is from 11am to 8pm with no rest periods. I have a hard time for a few reasons. 1. I find it hard to do my assessments and medication due to the questions about every little thing. We just do it without thinking, to stop and explain takes a lot of time.. some families challenge from the knowledge bank from the internet. 2. pts feel obligated to visit with them and they want them there but their usually to weak to visit but push themselves to do so. vented pts do better I feel right on the brink of cons. so I titrate my dipro so if I call their name they can respond. Families try to wake them up. even after much education and sometime down to the point of rudeness on our part about don't stimulate or talk to them to much. 3. They bring in food and drinks and the pt's 9/10 times are npo. 4. infection rate. we have started a studie about families that come in and don't wash thier hands and if it has any effect on our pts. 5. night shift allows people to spend the night (depending on the nurse) then we come in and our four hour window to do the bath, assess, medication, doctors rounds is shot. We are off to a bad shift. The other thing I have a problem with is a pt codes and the family refuses to leave the room and asking a million questions and you need the crash cart and everything else.

I love the feed back. The previous posts clarified the fact that the medication aides are for mainly long term care. I know its been in other states a while. If we don't take a stand and try what are we doing for our aging elderly population? Write a letter to your state department their the people who make these laws. The large companies that gain money from the less licensed personal are the only people speaking out. If you know how to start an online petition let me know how to do it. Thanks

I am an rn in the icu. I am saddned to know that the state of Ohio has now implimented a pilot program for medication aides. I fear for our elderly population who already have limited medical care. I beg you to write emails to your state legislator and ohio as well to stop this terrible pratice. I have had a person with liver dx. that has returned to the hospital because they refuse to give him his lactulose. Thanks, in advance.

The way to stop it is to start a petition and send it to your legislator. I am trying to figure out how to start an online petition. Any help would be great. You could do it in your state. A lot of nurses did'nt know about it. I realize its only in long term care. This is going to be one more less place for lpns to work..

ICU nurses can be nice. I am an ICU nurse, but I believe its hard and not a place for new grads.. Please not misunderstand.. I was a new nurse once too. The ICU is a dangerous place and its true we dont have time to teach a new nurse.. the residents alone keep us on our toes.. we have to keep them from killing someone!! Please go to medsurg and get yourself together and learn more advanced skills before you jump in with both feet. You will be more welcomed.. When you come in without the proper education and EXPERIENCE we have to pick up the slack and some are pretty bitter about doing their job and yours....

Run straight to the medsurg floor... I am an RN ICU nurse. I know it seems cool and great to have the places say they will train you. but the doctors expect you to allready know everything and trust me.. its a big responsibility. Those jobs will be there in six months and you need to learn priority and whats really important to the average patient before you take on a multisystem crashing patient that is depending on you to save their life. Your going to get to the ICU if thats what you want. Set yourself up for success not failure.. or being so crazy you cant learn what you need. good luck

I am very concerned and upset that the state of Ohio is considering this medication aide program. I feel its dangerous to our elderly and mentally ill population. I want to protest this and am wondering how other nurses feel? not to mention it will take lpn jobs!!! :trout: :monkeydance:

I am wondering what everyone thinks of medication tech's. there new to ohio and just being piloted and I for one am very concerned. I am thinking of lobbing to have it stopped.

I am wondering what everyone thinks of medication tech's. there new to ohio and just being piloted and I for one am very concerned. I am thinking of lobbing to have it stopped.