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HI there, YES, we use turn teams. Our is a very high acuity 26 bed level one trauma center. Depending on the day, we use either 2 or 3 turn teams. They are 2 LNA's that have an assignment of 8 - 12 beds and every 2 hours your patient is turned, mouth care is done acu-checks are done temps taken and foleys emptied. They are absolutely Gods gift to the busy ICU. We also utilize "Transpo". This is a whole different team that will help with the "Heavy patient" move or help push patients to CT MRI Angio etc etc, or to just help get the patient from the chair back to bed. These resources are EXCELLENT!! Good Luck!

Absolutely! Every critical care nurse should take it!

Very interesting, and unfortunate. I had a similar problem this week. My patient however was an elderly patient that was put on CRRT (CVVH) for ARF. She too experienced a drop in her platelet count from about 150,000 to about 15,0000 she also had an developed an INR of 4.5, a PTT of about 45 and a fibrinogen of about 85. Her coagulopathy did reverse after many blood products, however the cause remains a mystery. Thanks for sharing your story Greg

Thank-you, all for the information, This does help me understand

Hello all, I've been having a little difficulty understanding a frequently ordered test in our ICU. The Cortisol Stim Test. Now I know know it is done, I'm just having difficulty interpretting the results and their clinical significance.... Can anyone help me????? Thank you-so much in advance From the White Mountains of NH

Jamie, Relax, after you get rid of those butterflies you will love it. As an ICU nurse for many years I can't imagine working anywhere else. Go in with an open mind. Ask questions, hopefully you will have a preceptor to help you grow and see the beauty of this specialty.

Hi there, Now I"m don't do pediatrics, so I'm unfamiliar with their dosing, but based on your numbers, here's what I'm getting. 20 mg/kg/day as you point out this pt weighs 5 kg... Therefore the patient needs 20mg x 5 daily (100mg) in 4 equal doses = ammox 25mg every 6 hours So your desired dose is 25 mg, what is your dose on hand? 500mg in 2cc = 250mg in 1cc ... Your dose on hand is 250mg/1cc divide your desired dose by your dose on hand 25 divided by 250 = 0.1cc Your patient needs 0.1cc of this ammox every 6 hours. Certainly a smaller dose than I am used too! Hope this helps From the white mountains of NH

Hi there, No, I have never seen Levo wide open. I have seen Dopamine come up from the ED wide open not even on a pump... but that's another story. G

AACN journel articles are excellent. All of the continuing education hours offered on their web site, (and there are tons), are free to members. If you are lucky enough to go to their annual national conference NTI, you will know you are part af an awesome group of professionals. Yes it is worth joining, but be sure to take advantage of all they have to offer !