KReinhard

I agree with LRichardson, it is the attention that we pay to the ETT that helps to prevent problems. I have had experience with the tape on the face method (not good for the patients skin) and using a one inch piece of tape folded over in order to make ties except for a small piece that is left unfolded to go around the ETT. I really like this method as it allows for felxibility in caring for the patients mouth and is an easy method to use. It is a standard of care to rotate the ETT every 24 hours....this simple procedure helps to avoid the skin breakdown and increases patient comfort.

I don't agree with the term "1 to 1". Patients should be looked at on an individual basis, as to their acuity, not solely on the amount of equipment in the room. The baloon pump is another piece of equipment requiring assessment as is a ventilator or a swan ganz catheter. I've cared for patients that didn't have balloon pumps that required more vigilence than some balloon pump patients I've cared for. The real point of this discussion should be maintaining safe staffing levels for ALL patients. I think it can be a safe situation to have a balloon pump patient with another patient when acuities are taken in to account and assignments made accordingly.