Reopro on step-down unit

[Bwick]

We are considering having patients post cardiac interventional procedure with Reopro infusion to go to our step-down unit instead of ICU. They occasionally take interventional patients but have not taken them with Reopro. Staffing is 3:1 or 4:1 on this unit but they are very busy with many transfers in and out during the day. They also have all types of patients, not just cardiac. What does your facility do? What's the patient ratio? Thanks

[AMV]

We are considering having patients post cardiac interventional procedure with Reopro infusion to go to our step-down unit instead of ICU. They occasionally take interventional patients but have not taken them with Reopro. Staffing is 3:1 or 4:1 on this unit but they are very busy with many transfers in and out during the day. They also have all types of patients, not just cardiac. What does your facility do? What's the patient ratio? Thanks

Our ratio is 4:1 on our step-down (Intermediate Care). Our nurses take Reopro and Integrilin drips with post stent placements as well as low dose Dopamine, Cardizem, Nitro drips. They pull sheaths and 10 of our beds have bedside monitoring for art lines and CVP. If this is going to be a transition for your nurses, as with any new skill, extensive education and competency check off's should preceed patient care.