AMV

BTW, at my facility, this is done through the Risk Manager.

Device failures (such as the AICD) should be reported to the FDA. The hospital is required to report these. The FDA keeps statistics on this for possible device recalls.

Yes, I am a little worried about the OPPS as we have no idea what the volume will be and it looks like I will be abstracting those as well. At this time, the corporation that owns our facility does not allow sampling, even though our numbers would allow it. For example, SCIP has 500 to 600 per quarter.

PDSA is Plan - Do - Study - Act and is a method of rapid cycle improvement. Check out info from IHI http://www.ihi.org/IHI/Topics/Improvement/ImprovementMethods/HowToImprove/testingchanges.htm for more information.

For any of you out there who abstract from the paper chart, how much time do you average per chart? We are a 300 bed facility and do 100% of SCIP, AMI, PN, CAC and HF. It seems that with the continual addition of measures to each of the measure sets - especially SCIP, abstraction is becoming increasingly time-consuming - leaving less time for process improvement. We abstract from a paper chart, rather than electronic and gather data on all measures for each of the measure sets - not only APU indicators.

I am in an MBA - Healthcare Emphasis program and my CNO is trying to convince me to switch to MS nursing. I started with an ADN and went into an RN to MS bridge program where some master's level nursing classes are taken instead of BS - such as nursing research. After I completed my BS nursing, I found out that classes the next semesters (all completely master's-level from that point on) had time-requirements that were not compatible with my M-F 8 to 5 schedule - in fact I was told that they don't recommend that students work full-time. How realistic is that? The university that I am at had just opened up the Healthcare Emphasis MBA program and I have now completed one semester (9 credit hours) of this. The classes are Saturdays 9 to 5 with a great deal of online work, and of course every class has group work in which we all meet after work to work on projects. It is very hard! I am learning so much about business that is very applicable to all industries, including healthcare. I am concerned that my CNO thinks this is a bad move - in fact, they refuse to provide tuition reimburesment to me now. It seems that more programs are offering dual MSN/MBA degrees and more nurses are pursuing MBA or dual. I don't think that I can go for the dual that is 60 some credit hours - this last 36 is for the MBA is enough! It has been very hard on my family in obtaining the core classes for the BS nursing as well as the BS bridge program itself - I have been in school for the last 5 plus years. Has anyone else faced a similar dilemma? My co-workers say to stick to my guns - some who have their MSN's state they wish they had gone for an MBA. One of these who is a nurse-attorney loves to say "how many times can you get a nursing degree?" I guess that hard part is the fact that the CNO whom I really respect and admire does not support this.

If you are open to relocating, these exist all over the country. The University that I attend also offers one... I will post the link here http://www.twu.edu/nursing/programs/rn_ms/index.htm Good luck!

I have to admit, this is one of the biggest things that bothers me! I am 40 now, I am in an RN to MS program for FNP. I work full-time and go to school "almost" full-time. At the rate I am going, I will be 43 or 44 by the time that I finish. Lately, I have really begun to wonder if it is worth it?? My last pay check for the end of 2005 showed that I made a little over 70K ( I work in a cardiac cath lab - so just a little bit of a diff for that). This is really tough and I feel that I have so much on my plate - and tough for my husband and children too! Anyone else ever feel this way while going through the program?

I am in such a program at TWU - Texas Woman's University. Here is the link for the RN (ADN) to MS program, which includes the NP programs. http://www.twu.edu/nursing/programs/rn_ms/index.htm

What did you do in the event that one called in sick and a replacement couldn't be found? Did you use a nurse from the unit or did they just use one tech?

Actually, our monitor or tele techs are trained in a two day basic EKG class and then go back for another one day advanced class that focuses on blocks, lethal rhythms, etc. Usually these people have a background as EMT / paramedic or have done this kind of work before. If we have a CNA who is in nursing school - or student nurse, they can take the class as well. They have a test they must pass with a 90% and cannot miss any lethal rhythms. They do a great job! Our IMCU has 21 beds monitored by remote telemetry (not bedside monitors in the ICU - they do not have a tele tech and we do not watch their patients). We also monitor patients on Med/Surg who need telemetry monitoring. My question was, once you get to a certain number of patients, at what point, is a second monitor tech necessary? I am trying to find out if there are any "standards" out there?

I have a question for those of you out there who work on a Tele, PCU or IMCU unit that uses remote telemetry monitoring. I am trying to find out what your facility standards are for the telemetry tech as far as what is the max. # of patients that they can monitor before a second tech must be added? Are there any "standards" out there that your facility goes by?

Any of you out there who work on a Tele, PCU or IMCU unit that uses remote telemetry monitoring... I am trying to find out what your facility standards are for the telemetry tech as far as what is the max. # of patients that they can monitor before a second tech must be added? Are there any "standards" out there that your facility goes by? Thanks!

Gosh... I am so sorry about your job. I am surprised though because I just went to their site last night and based on some of the threads that I had read here, the job they had posted sounded like the disease management. I am also disappointed because I would love to get in to this area... I found this thread while looking into the case management section. As unit coordinator, at times we "assist" case management (although I don't know a tiny fraction of what they have to do in order to do their job!) - but I have been very interested in case management.... I guess I am thinking (just thinking!) about a change because I am truly tired of being expected to come in and staff my unit 24/7 when need be... and lately, it has been a lot!! My family is about ready to disown me! It is true for nursing though - any job - we are all replaceable and they will work you to death if they need to! It doesn't matter if you are staff or management.

I see the posts from March from a couple of you that are training for or just going in to telenursing in the disease management field. Are you still liking it? I am looking in to this field - currently working as a Coordinator for a step down unit and tired of being on call 24/7. I have a lot of experience in cardiac as well as DM and the one-on-one patient contact sounds interesting... I would love some feedback! Thanks!!