Biffbradford

Biffbradford

ICU

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All Content by Biffbradford

  1. ACLS Certification

    Biffbradford replied to Java Mama's topic in General Nursing

    Right on. Is it a lethal rhythm or not? Is lethal? Can I shock it? Then I'm gonna shock it! Can I pace it? Then I'm gonna pace it. It's not so bad. :) In 3 hospitals over 19 years, I can't remember...

  2. Medsurg nurse interviewing for CICU

    Biffbradford replied to JustKeepSmiling's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Congratulations. I went the other route ... started in a CVICU and moved to step down. Like you said, crazy busy but now I'm not worrying about someone crashing every day and if they do begin to go...

  3. ICU RN Report- How does your unit do it?

    Biffbradford replied to seamel's topic in Critical Care

    Best ICU (CVICU) I worked in had a clip board for each room, so each patient had their own report sheet. It was re-writen on NOCs and updated throughout the day. Format and content was determined by a...

  4. Could anyone help me better understand this code ?

    Biffbradford replied to neurontin's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Once had a VAD pt in slow VTach for a WEEK. Rhythm was unresponsive to all therapies, but the VAD still kept pumping so BP was fine. Final outcome not good. Crazy

  5. nursing care for chest tube of cabg patient

    Biffbradford replied to Altin's topic in Critical Care

    Yeah, I refrain from 'stripping' but will resort to that if it means getting a big honking clot out of there and preventing sending the guy back to surgery for tamponade! I remember one nurse that...

  6. Transvascular Aortic Valve Implantation

    Biffbradford replied to SBURNSTEVEN's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Boy, if I ever face some time on the table, CUT ME OPEN. I want that surgeon looking and smelling with his own eyes and nose, cutting and sewing with his own talented hands.

  7. Most drips at once

    Biffbradford replied to delphine22's topic in MICU, SICU

    I don't remember what they all were, but I recall an ECMO patient that had 4 stacks of Baxter double pumpers. (not the official term) :) Two stacks on each side of the bed and prob. 4 high (you could...

  8. Insight for a successful transition from CCU to CVSICU?

    Biffbradford replied to Asherah's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    More like 'fight' the Grim Reaper, if he really want's 'em, he'll take

  9. Serious about critical care, RN

    Biffbradford replied to pinkflamingo72's topic in Critical Care

    Hard to say. Be courteous but curt with your time. Get in, get it done, and get out. Even in the ICU where you 'only' have 2 patients, you have to pick one to start with. Do you see the 'easy' one...

  10. Your PROPOFOL stories wanted

    Biffbradford replied to RNNCcicu98's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Nothing earth shattering to share from here. Stay on top of a spare bottle for the on coming shift and I'll change the tubing a little early if it's going to be due on the next shift (usually Q12hrs)....

  11. Serious about critical care, RN

    Biffbradford replied to pinkflamingo72's topic in Critical Care

    Welcome to Allnurses! :) Where do YOU feel that you can make some improvements? That would be a good place to

  12. Fluid bolus by gravity or pump?

    Biffbradford replied to delphine22's topic in MICU, SICU

    Have done it both ways. In a code situation we've even 'squeezed in' fluid or

  13. Could anyone help me better understand this code ?

    Biffbradford replied to neurontin's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Can you actually *FEEL* a pulse? Art lines are great, but they do go

  14. Infective endocarditis, influenza, fully ventilated.

    Biffbradford replied to nurseinsa's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    His family will just have to corner the attending physician and bombard him/her with questions. Perhaps it's time for a family conference where you gather the docs and a nurse and talk about his...

  15. Propofol Increasing HR?

    Biffbradford replied to MallysMama's topic in MICU, SICU

    Interesting. I once had a heart patient on Dobutamine but the cardiac index was still a lousy 1.8. Surgeon suggested turning it off, that on rare occasion is has an opposite affect, I did ... and the...

  16. Insight for a successful transition from CCU to CVSICU?

    Biffbradford replied to Asherah's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    I really don't know where to go with that, but with 12 years of CVICU under my belt, I'll give it a crack. You're looking for the next higher challenge. Working with potentially unstable patients...

  17. How to get into a good ICU?

    Biffbradford replied to jasonbenninger's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    I'll relocate in state - Wisconsin. No desire to live anywhere

  18. Stethoscope opinions

    Biffbradford replied to ICUNurseG's topic in MICU, SICU

    There just was a thread on stethescopes and who likes

  19. How to get into a good ICU?

    Biffbradford replied to jasonbenninger's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Around here, if you work agency for a hospital, the hospital won't touch you for a

  20. How to get into a good ICU?

    Biffbradford replied to jasonbenninger's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Luck. Really! I guess first off, don't mention your goal of CRNA. That doesn't benefit anyone but you. Second, it couldn't hurt to have your CPR/ACLS/PALS already done, although I think the hospital...

  21. Best transition into ICU/CCU?

    Biffbradford replied to nmpBSN's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    There is no cookie cutter route to the ICU. Learn as much as you can where you are now and learn more. Whats the hurry to get into the ICU? It's not all cake and ice cream

  22. Charge nurse taking patients in ICU

    Biffbradford replied to nightengalegoddess's topic in MICU, SICU

    I've seen RNs sent home so the charge nurse can take an extra patient in order to 'meet the staffing

  23. New Hire RN - PCU (Cardiac Floor)

    Biffbradford replied to ColorfulStethoscope's topic in Critical Care

    Vents on the floor? What will they think of next? I would review ABGs then. Perhaps basic vent settings. Trach suctioning technique. (OH, they have RTs - yeah, but you never know when you'll have to...

  24. drips during a code

    Biffbradford replied to DogLover17's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    Sounds like one of those interventions that kick in 10 minutes after it's called. "HEY! WAIT A

  25. Tell me about your first pt to code...

    Biffbradford replied to MrsICURN14's topic in CCU, Coronary, Cardiac

    You know those tele strips that look like Vtach but are actually artifact from someone brushing their teeth? Well, it goes the other way too. I had a fresh post op heart sitting in the chair just...