momRNof3

I am curious as to what area staffing ratios are. Apparently this is a secret in my area. I work in a 10 chair unit and have 2 charge nurses and 29 pts. plus 5 techs. I try to schedule 3 techs and one RN for the floor. We run a very tight schedule. The RN's work 12's and the techs work 10 hour shifts. I am tired of fighting with the "we are short" attitude when a tech calls in. I know this adds extra work for the RN but I am always willing to come out and help at turn around. Admin. meds/ sign off txs. The EMR seems to be some of the hang up. I would like to know what responsibilities the charge nurses have in other units and what is considered a safe ratio as well as how many pt do you assign per person on the floor. I want the nurses to be able to take care of the patients safely and not overwhelm them with too many extras like access mgt, anemia mgt, immunizations, careplans. Thanks in advance for all your input.

I work for a smaller dialysis company that is made up of higher ups that used to work for the companies you described. I am one year into it and feel we are better off with this company than being hospital owned. They have around 70 clinics nationwide and are owned partially by the doctors/company/hospital still has a small piece. I developed the education program used to train my new hires from various sources. I believe retention of staff is linked mostly to being educated as to expectations and duties and then holding all staff accountable to the standards taught. Yes, the patient comes first but I do believe in educating the patients to the fullest extent and keeping them involved in their care. Good luck with the buy out. Transition is sometimes difficult.

I do understand if you can't have the same person cannulate the development of the buttonhole is difficult to achieve. I run a small clinic with 30 pt and have only 7 fistulas but all are buttonhole. I developed most of them. I would come in on my day off just to stick them. I have a new fistula in the unit and have chosen a dedicated RN to cannulate. If she isn't working then the patient doesn't get stuck. We have had only one infiltrate since using this technique and the patients we have are all using 14g buttonholes now. The patients in our unit much prefer this technique now that the holes are developed. There are a few "tricks" to easing the needles in. I just wanted to post that we have had success and another unit in our group has done the same with great results. Please research more. I think this technique is extremely beneficial to the patient.