Protocols in the ED

Specialties Emergency

Published

This topic has probably already been discussed, and for those of you who have been members here for a long time, I apologize for repeating the topic. I am wondering though, how many of you are allowed to practice using protocols in the ED?

I am talking about chest pain or respiratory or abdominal pain protocols, etc. Our hospital is going to start using them in the spring, with the go live of a new computer program.

I am wondering how many of you already do this.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

We use EMSTAT in our level one trauma center (63k visits/year) and love it. We have protocols also which the nursing staff implements for CP, abd pain (male/female), lacerations, injuries (xrays), etc. It works very well and the docs love it!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

We use EMSTAT in our level one trauma center (63k visits/year) and love it. We have protocols also which the nursing staff implements for CP, abd pain (male/female), lacerations, injuries (xrays), etc. It works very well and the docs love it!

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We have chest pain, abdominal pain, sepsis protocols, and we have some standard Triage order sets to choose from Makes doing the diagnostics go quicker ..Much better than knowing what to do and having to wait for a specific order before you can actually do it..

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We have chest pain, abdominal pain, sepsis protocols, and we have some standard Triage order sets to choose from Makes doing the diagnostics go quicker ..Much better than knowing what to do and having to wait for a specific order before you can actually do it..

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we not only follow diagnostic and treatment protocols but are expected to use them way before out ER docs ever see the patient. standard work up for abd pain, chest pain, chf, etc. standard med orders for n & v, fever, cp, sob, asthma, allergic reaction with emphasis placed on medication allergies. 90% of the time, the patient is worked up before the doc ever sees 'em and usually all that's left is pain med orders to give. works great for us.

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We, too, use protocols. Have them for every diagnosis we could think of! Our ED Nurse Practice Council researched and wrote them, then presented it to the docs. Most were on board right away...the rest joined in after a very short time...once they saw how quick things became.

I am interested in the computer programs you are all using. We have not gone computerized yet...but it is a matter of time. Our hospital has purchased logicare for the floors and the plan is to "adapt it" for the ED. Makes me just a little nervous...

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We have advanced medical directives in place for COPD carepath, chest pain, migraine's, etc...and a bunch more. I can scan them and email if your interested. Awhile back, I had snail mailed a copy to someone on line and it would be costly. Let me know what your specifically interested in.

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

Can you please email me one on seizures, and also adverse reactions(medicine)?

Thanks so much,

Christine

[email protected]

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

We use EMSTAT and love it - its computerized documentation for nurses. They are coming onboard next year with MD documentation. How easy is that?

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We use EMSTAT in our level one trauma center (63k visits/year) and love it. We have protocols also which the nursing staff implements for CP, abd pain (male/female), lacerations, injuries (xrays), etc. It works very well and the docs love it!

===========================

So would you like to share and compare protocals? Let me know.

Sarah

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Hi Sarah,

Can you please email me one on seizures, and also adverse reactions(medicine)?

Thanks so much,

Christine

[email protected]

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Yes I will over the weekend since I am off. I am doing a few nights so until I am off. I also told veetach the same.

I will get these off to you but I would appreciate sharing information as well. What do you have to share?

Please let me know.

Sarah

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We also use EMSTAT and I love it. I have said many times that I would not work in an ER that does not have computerized charting. I have not used any other program besides EMSTAT but it is a godsend. We find that it is wonderful for new nurses because it gives them a guide as to their assessment. If a pt. comes in with abdominal pain, you click on the abdominal/GI system and it basically tells you what questions to ask. I LOVE IT!!!

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here are our protocols

upper abd pain

lower abd pain

preg w/ vag bleed/abd pain

cp

fever

asthma

soft tissue injury/infection

out pt dvt

ottawa ankle/knee rule for xrays

renal colic

overdose

needlestick injury

first responder

they help increase the flow in the er (make the doc's life easier)

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