ICUmama

LOL!!! Couldn't have said it better myself. I'm amazed at how heated a topic this has become! And, as I stated in the OP, I am talking about A lines that correlate perfectly. Good square wave, no over/underdampening, good waveform, etc etc. I just assumed that was a given. Seems we pretty much have a consensus. Of course you don't just automatically trust the art line. You troubleshoot, use good clinical judgement, level and zero prn. I agree with those that argue that documenting two pressures is just asking for a lawsuit!

this is the case in many US hospitals with anesthesiologists as well. however, you asked about CRNAs, not anesthesiologists

Thanks for all the feedback. Its almost like they are new at using art lines or something, but that just cannot be the case. And i really don't want to insult anyone by inquiring. I asked one of our ICU clinical supervisors and she totally agreed with me. So I always change it to q 4 NIBP on my shift and mention it in report (along with my tirade on how ludicrous it is do check q 15), but i always, always see that it is set right back to q 15! ***!!! They are definitely all about "overkill" here. And yes, these are often pts w coagulopathies, 2-4+ edema, weeping arms, and even CALF PRESSURES! Helloooo...ever heard of peripheral nerve damage??? Yes they are sedated, but it is torture nevertheless. This really bothers me. I think i will mention it to the manager...

I have worked in many different ICUs and never seen this before...checking cuff pressures q 15 when you have an A line that correlates perfectly. (and documenting BOTH!) I just started working in a very large metropolitan hosp MICU/SICU and that's the standard. Every patient with an A line and on pressors-- no matter what. This seems completely ridiculous and i am just wondering if any other ICUs do the same. If the pressures correlate why would you even think of torturing the pt with q 15 NIBPS????