picucrn

I am looking for feedback on what type of system design you have in your PICUs. We are doing a complete remodel and are trying to decide whether to go with boom systems or headwall or column systems for the outlets, monitor, air/oxygen, suction etc. Can you please let me know what you have in your PICU rooms and what you like or don't like about them thanks

I am looking for any picu that utilizes an acuity based point system to determine staffing needs. What does your unit use to determine staffing? We use a combo matrix/acuity but our facility (in times of economic strife) want us to prove that we really need our fresh open heart patients to be one on one. We are trying to come up with a consistent point system but why reinvent the wheel right? Thanks kari

We currently use buretrol/soluset tubing on all picu patients under 10yrs. Initiated years ago due to safety concerns, we have simply stuck with this practice. Now we have had smart pumps for many years and want to minimize our soluset usage.. Who uses this tubing and who do you use it on? i also want to know large high acuity open heart, trauma facilities that do not this type of tubing thanks

We currently are trying to change policy on RSV collection. Over the years we have gotten away from the old cut tip saline lavage pull with syringe method and have gone to using ETT suction caths into Lukey sputum traps. This is much gentle and sterile on part of patient. But of course as with anything else- i need some evidence to support that this is appropriate to do. Any help out there? thanks

Sorry, i didn't clarify good. We only use snap test Q 2hrs to test for change in tube patency. We always confirm either with bedside u/s or xray. We just do q 2hr check to make sure the tube hasn't migrated or is getting clogged from formula or meds.

My picu currently uses transpyloric tubes and have been for while. We check placement via "snap" test, like many other facilities. I am looking for any protocols that incorporate this test or any other placement checks, besides xray.

:w00t:In my facility pals is required for all areas that care for kids. We also require APLS for all peds critical care (picu, ed) and encourage for all other pediatric areas.

I would be interested in hearing what steps you took as nurses to better the communication and overall relationship with the md's. At my facility we have one intensivist that we struggle with everyday. We have had a great unit for last several years until she came. She doesn't allow any autonomy and criticizes everything, even that which doesn't even involve her. We have had an extremely high turnover rate with people stating her as reason for leaving. We have talked to her about respect, but she just blows us off and doesn't think there is a problem with her.