blessings2nurses

It is always disheartening to see a fellow nurse so frustrated. It is clear patients have a whole new perception of overdone expectations when they come to a hospital. ..in all areas...on the unit we feel like maids and they are there for days & weeks. Is there any chance for you to take a class towards your BSN which may help facilitate a new job? Many times a new outlook in a new place does wonders...I hope you find a strategy for relief to not give the PIA's victory.

Another issue to consider is that once you go into the room and introduce yourself you have established a patient relationship which you are now accountable. Nine times out of ten (or more) this would not be a problem however, say you would need to opt out of providing care for moral reasons. For example, a Jehovah witness is not required to care for a patient receiving a blood transfusion, etc. If you have not established a relationship, it is easier to opt out following your organizations policy in how to have your assignment changed. Good luck!

RNcDreams, You stated you care for the tele holds to the best of your ability while caring for several other patients. I am sure yourself and many others do your best to provide quality care...but there is only so much one can do. At some point, care may be delayed and the priority most likely will not be the 'holding' patient but the more acute. In fact, research has shown the impact on ED nurses (and patients) as they try to care for criitically ill patients when the ICU's are full and cannot transfer a patient to step-down because of the tele back log. The issue of overusing telemetry simply because a physician 'prefers' their patient there needs addressed. This practice not only impacts our patients but the workload of nurses. Thank you for striving to give your all to every patient!

Thank you nursej22, what you describe is what I have experienced as well. When patient overflow occurs there may be a delay in care which is the primary concern to develop this protocol which would prompt those newer nurses.

There are many levels of responsibility in this type of scenario but I would wonder why the manager was allowing this to happen. When staff nurses approach with a peer concern my first question is whether they addressed with the person barring it is not a patient safety issue. Just a thought...

Good question mappers, this may be related to differing criteria or protocols...I'm anxious to see if this is the case. If so, TraumaRUs could you explain how the telemetry works?

Wow...thank you all for taking your precious time to respond. Each reply is helpful and I knew I could count on the nursing community to come through with valuable information. Much of the replies are not surprises as this issue is becoming a national crisis. TraumaRNs- smart strategy to have an all tele capability but one question that comes to mind is whether maintaining competencies become an issue? 07302003- I would love more information on the 36 hour automatic stop protocol if at all possibly! Altra- Exactly! I know the "crisis mode" pain all too well. The goal is to develop a nurse-driven discontinuation protocol as a proactive strategy... Thanks to all...I will keep checking back for feedback. Blessings :)

Hi my dear fellow nurses, I am currently a doctoral student with a capstone project on the overuse of telemetry which impedes patient flow. I would love to hear of any experiences from across the United States if this is an issue in your practice area. Some questions are: Does your facility use telemetry admission criteria? Does your facility use telemetry discontinuation criteria? Are there times your ED experiences an overflow of patients with no tele beds available? What strategies have been used to improve patient flow? Thank you all for any valuable information you can share! Blessings, Cindy

Hi my dear fellow nurses, I am currently a doctoral student with a capstone project on the overuse of telemetry which impedes patient flow. I would love to hear of any experiences from across the United States if this is an issue in your practice area. Some questions are: Does your facility use telemetry admission criteria? Does your facility use telemetry discontinuation criteria? Are there times your ED experiences an overflow of patients with no tele beds available? What strategies have been used to improve patient flow? Thank you all for any valuable information you can share! Blessings, Cindy