traumamomtx30

If a patient has an order for a chest tube to 20cm wall suction does it make a difference if it's connected directly to the suction regulator or if it's connected to a canister (such as a canister for NGT drainage)? Will the suction be the same?

can you guys tell me works and what doesn't work for dividing up the patient assignments for the nurses. Right now we work on a number acquity system: 6 are hard pts, 5 average, and 4 discharging or very little care. this isn't working and we are having very tired and frustrated nurses. Can anyone tell me what is working for them?

Ok, our hospital is wanting to go to identifying uniform colors. They claim that: the pt's are happier they know who the personnel i.e. nurses, techs, respiratory, lab, are and it gives off a much more professional appearance. This is my question: Has anyone found any research that it doesn't/ does to these things management is claiming. Our arguement is: we went to new ID badges with larger letters with our credentials, we introduce ourselves and write our names on a dry erase board in the rooms every shift, and I know for a fact my patients still don't know me after 3 nights of continuous care. They are even talking doing away with t-shirts with the hospital logos, no t-shirts, period. If anyone has any solid evidence either way I would appreciate it.

Need to do a staff appreciation day this month of Feb. Looking for any ideas to assist with this. Cheap ideas since we are on a tight budget; suprise, suprise. We thought of rice krispie treats but looking for other suggestions. I know there are some creative people out there! Our staff needs a pickup, moral is low. Thanks:idea:

The short and skinny is: I've been a nurse 10 yrs and desperately want to go back to school and get a 4 yr degree; currently have an associates degree in nursing. Any insite out there? I know I don't want to do any form of healthcare management and also don't want to do bedside nursing forever. Any suggestions on an alternate degree other then BSN that I can achieve and still stay in the health care world, and not be going to school for eternity? I'm thinking Business or general studies of some form.

I floated tonight which I don't mind but I sure do hate it when a floor and it's nurses take advantage of the float. This was my load: 1st TB pt who is alzheimer and dementia,2nd homeless with a trach not capped and q 2hr morphine ivp, 3rd pt is ok, 4th pt with HIV and q 4 hr bolus gtube feeds and nurse lab draw, 5th pt is trach not capped-tpn-iv- tube feed- stroke and good side is restrained-confused-saccral wound that needs dsg change-2 q hr turn- q 6 blood sugar- nurse lab draw-and lets not forget contact isolation- and q 4 hr H20 flushes oh yes and the continous pulse ox because the sats go from 87-97% with his apnea episodes and yep you guessed it a full code, then 6th pt ok.......I am not trying to whine I am glad I have 10 yrs experience so once I got them settled I was o.k. but if they would of done this to a newer nurse they would of just had a horrible time. I know not all floors do this but I did notice this morning that my 4 hardest pts were split up between the day shift nurses. :angryfire

Please don't sit there with 10 charts at 0700 when I am trying to write one little prn given before I go home and you won't give up 1 single chart for less then 2 minutes; because you are afraid you won't get it back. That is called a control issue.

How about: No, I don't want ativan or valium just to snow the patients so I don't have to deal with them. If you can't stand to go in there for 2 minutes to see them everyday; try 12 hrs. Please don't order 1 mg of Morphine every 30 minutes IVP when I have 7 pts to deal with just give them a PCA. Residents/Interns: don't tell me you don't want to make any new or change any orders because at briefing in the morning you will get yelled at because "that attending physicians" yells at everyone for everything.

I know that when people are in the hospital everyone is stressed out including the families; but man I can't stand when the families do all the talking for the patient, jump down my throat like a poor waitress that just brought them an undercooked steak, and question me like I was on trial for everything that has happened during the hospital stay for the past 2 weeks when it is my first day I've even laying eyes on the patient. This happened yesterday and I did what I always do: talk directly to the patient, answer the family with very short but firm answers and then redirect the conversation/questions back to the patient, let the charge/supervisor know the family is out of control (although I found out that all staff/physicians avoid the room at all costs). At the end of the shift the patient thanked me told me I was very attentive and even the family. Hate to say it but it didn't make me feel any better. I would have done everything I did do with out being bullied.