I'm a California RN working in an acute care hospital. I work in a mixed Tele & med/surg unit. I'm aware of the tele ratio 1:4 and med/surg ratio 1:5...here's my question.At the start of my shift I receive my assignments - 4 med/surg and 1 patient wearing tele monitor, making my total assignment 5 patients. Does that assignment violate ratio?Some managers and other RN's believe the 1:4 ratio means all 4 patients are tele monitored. Can anyone clarify?
NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN 2,383 Posts Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care. Has 14 years experience. Nov 3, 2014 That's out of ratio. If you have a tele patient, you should have no more than 4 patients total. It's not uncommon for hospitals to go out of ratio on occasion. It's reportable to the union if you choose.
PacoUSA, BSN, RN 3,445 Posts Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry. Has 11 years experience. Nov 3, 2014 I think I need to move to CA ... I get 5 all tele patients, and at other hospitals they can get more.Sent from my iPad using allnurses
NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN 2,383 Posts Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care. Has 14 years experience. Nov 3, 2014 It's in part because of the very strong nursing union in California.
Camwill, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, LPN, APRN, NP 526 Posts Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED. Has 25 years experience. Nov 8, 2014 I can't wait to move to California these 6-7 patients are killing me!
