Ellen

When I worked on a post bypass step down unit years ago (1996-97) we had 7-8 patients with NO CNAs!! We were doing primary care nursing....I left - too dangerous - and went to Home Health. Now I just went back to the hospital but a smaller one, tel...

Take the course! Our hospital just did away with phelbotomists completely and put it on the RNs to draw all their own labs! I'm glad I had experience from working in Home Health for 5 years ( you draw your own labs there) There were some nurses th...

In the hospital, the first thing I do when a pt seems particularly agitated I always offer tioleting first, then change of situation - i.e.bed to chair, chair with lock table, even recliners. Sometimes I get an Aid to take them for a wheelchair ride...

Protect your back! Learn the all important steps to protecting yourself during the lifting of patients, like always using your leg muscles. Use simple back exercises to keep your back strong and flexible. Back supports are no longer recommended be...

I get concerned about the importance placed on the statistics of Patient satisfaction. Every monthly staff mtg we look at our current 'ratings' - percentages of satisfaction - sometimes based on as few as 23 responses to a patient satisfaction surv...

FA Davis Drug guides are my favorites - alphabetic order by generic name of drug, colored index, good patient teaching points, CD ROM and internet support!

FA Davis Drug guides are my favorites - alphabetic order by generic name of drug, colored index, good patient teaching points, CD ROM and internet support!

Our telemetry floor has 36 beds and we get patients back after sheaths are pulled with sytec dsgs in place. We hang drips and we also have chemical rapid detox patients on telemetry (usual stay 48 hours). Our ratios with CNA is usually 8:1 - no CNA...

Our telemetry floor has 36 beds and we get patients back after sheaths are pulled with sytec dsgs in place. We hang drips and we also have chemical rapid detox patients on telemetry (usual stay 48 hours). Our ratios with CNA is usually 8:1 - no CNA...

I say ACLS is the only way to feel comfortable at a code - I have always seen extraneous people dismissed from codes, you can't have too big of a crowd! Anyone who doesn't feel comfortable to perform during a code should just step back and let the '...

I say ACLS is the only way to feel comfortable at a code - I have always seen extraneous people dismissed from codes, you can't have too big of a crowd! Anyone who doesn't feel comfortable to perform during a code should just step back and let the '...

Cardiopagers? We still use monitor Techs and Tele boxes.. but the Monitor Techs also do alot of other jobs- paper-pushing- and just rely on the alarms instead of really watching the monitors.

Cardiopagers? We still use monitor Techs and Tele boxes.. but the Monitor Techs also do alot of other jobs- paper-pushing- and just rely on the alarms instead of really watching the monitors.

Take the ACLS course - it will give you confidence! I love Cardiology, it's dynamic with cutting edge technology that is always changing and searching for better outcomes.

Take the ACLS course - it will give you confidence! I love Cardiology, it's dynamic with cutting edge technology that is always changing and searching for better outcomes.

During the winter months our Home Health agency is very busy here in Florida. This year contract help was brought in...LPNs. They were allowed to make visits, but no admissions, discharges, readmits, etc. and of course, no case managing. They wer...

Let's share some info here...what are your agencies doing to get ready for PPS? We have had 1 inservice as an overview, there is a PPS video, good for 4 CEUs we can view. There are more training sessions planned for Aug. We see our visits becoming...

Mijourney, could you please elaborate more on your 2nd paragraph above? Are you referring to use of out-patient type facilities in conjunction with Home Health? I would love to write a proposal for LPNs..however in my organization I am but a lowly...

If it is a same day late entry..like the dr. finally called back. I'll just add it to the clinical note for that day's visit titled 'late entry' Next day requires a Medical REcord Addendum note. We try to NEVER add to the record after discharge! ...

Hi! Here in Florida we have lots of supply problems too because of the heat..BUT as far as normal saline..most of these problems were solved by going to spray saline for all wound care. They have long expiration dates like 11/01. They come in 3oz a...

I would be happy to respond please send me your e-mail address. Most of my patients are elderly and teaching them can be a real challenge and then there are the funny stories too. So drop me a line with your e-mail address. Mine is [email protected].

PPS is going to change HHC alot? We will now be reimbursed based on diagnosis and the 19 OASIS items Medicare has deemed important. If you are going to be admiting patients come OCT. you should be learning about PPS NOW! ------------------

On my days off I am just not available. I let my answering machine take all calls and it won't be long before your office will figure it out, too! I even had a Supervisor call me in the hospital when I was being treated for kidney stones!!! It's t...

I am a full-time salaried Home health nurse. Our agency just recently combined our managed care and medicare divisions. Now my patients are a mix of Medicare and Managed care. I find managed care to be very confusing at times and very, very frustr...

MRSA in the home is just like in the hospital. If you maintain universal precautions and teach the patient to follow strict handwashing regiment, no problem. yes, you should wear a gown if wound is large and you run the risk of splashing during irr...