joybelle

We routinely remove IABP's in our unit . We first discontinue any heparine the pt might be on , we then do a activated clotting time & if this is less than 180sec the IABP is removed . Two people must be present & pressure is applied manually for 20 to 30 min. We then put on a pressuse bandage for up to 8 hours . We have found that it is alot easier if pt. cooperatin can be obtained . Hope it helps .

I work in a private hospital in South Africa . At night time we hardly ever have a dr. on call . If anything happens to pt. we have to phone the dr. in charge , who often lives up to 15min drive away from the hospital . If a pt. starts dev. resp problems , we as nurses must according to scope of practice "oxygenate the pt to the best of our abbility" .Thus if all we feel we are competent to do is put a mask over the pt's face , then so be it . If , however we have been trained to intubate a pt. (as all nurses who have done basic life support are ) we are compelled to intubate the pt if need be . I therefore think that if you have the training & there is no-one else , then by all means intubate . You must just be able to justify your own actions later . We are afterall each accountable for our own acts & ommissions .

I live & work in South Africa , & am currently looking for ideas to do a masters thesis on . I had thought on doing it on "The safety of patients whilst evacuating an ICU during an emergency situation." What evacuation plans are set in your hospitals ? Do you think that they would work ? , and why do you think that they would work . Any ideas you might have would be much appreciated .