HolJ

We have a 24 bed ICU with a 6 bed tele,sometimes ICU side unit. If it is Tele, usually 2 nurses for 6 patients. Since our hospital dosen't have a a tele/vent unit, those patients make their way over there as well. So the extra teles or those waiting to get out of the ICU are in there and then they get assigned another bed later. No one seems to understand that patients in there are not always ICU, so thats a pain. Usually nurses will be assigned there for one day, then they want out. it is nicknamed the "hole"!

we have one PCA for 30 beds, which is not enough. Most frequently their help is used for cleaning, turning, accu checks if they have time. They carry a unit phone, but are constantly being paged over head. One person can't be everywhere. Thank god for them!

we have totally open visiting hours. Our hospital practices "Family Centered Care" Of course you can ask them to step out when you need them to, but then they just tend to wait in the hallways until you open the door again, all the while starring in all the other rooms. There is no limit to the # of visitors. I know that if I looked the way some of these people do I wouldn't want all these people visiting while bringing their neighbors along. I have also worked in unit that was closed and had hours and it was a pain the keep saying only 2 visitors at a time. Personallly I couldn't imagine having a loved one in the ICU and only be able to visit for a half hour every 2 hours. I try and remember that when I'm at wits end. They are always saying, "let me know if I'm in the way" Well of course your in the way, but I have learned to dance around them!