ge104042

Boring as opposed to what? hourly I&O, Q 15 min V/S, Vasoactive drug titration? on occasion code a patient? As a former ICU nurse I realized that ICU was to a certain extent was a controled environment, we had standing orders for almost everything. At least thats how it was where I came from. I must admit however, I miss playing with the pulmonary artery catheter, calling the doctor to break the news that the SVR has gotten too high and need to unload the patient, ETC. ER environment IMHO is controlled chaos, I say controlled because you can control the way you would react and will no way control the potential chaotic environment. And you will sail thru it with your ICU experience.

Look at "CheckMate" it comes in a pocket version, mine comes in an Iphone app. How verse are you in your Pharmacology? When I started in the ED, I anticipated what drugs I'm going to use in certain patient according to their presentation. i.e. EMS call with a pt coming in with SVT, what drugs would the ER MD will use..Or if it's an arrest... Amiodorone? Vasoactive drugs like dopamine or levophed, do I know the standard dose, how much is the initial dose, maintenance dose. I made sure that I can visualized myself performing each step of the ACLS, I reviewed one particular common emergency drugs for 2 weeks everyday until I can tell you it's half life, it's expected side effect etc... Of course you will not want to limit yourself on these stuff. ER is also now being used as urgent care by people. This simple steps will help achieve a certain comfort level working in an ED. Good Luck Gene