Safe patient ratios

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Our chronic hemo clinic has had a sudden lower patient census so the shifts have been rearranged. Usually we have one RN to 12 pt with 3 PCT. 11 pt one RN and 2PCT. 7 pt one RN and one PCT. Right now I have been given upto 15 patients with three PCT. Granted, all of them are stable except for one who is on IDPN. Five of the pts have catheters which the PCT can put on, but cannot change the dressing. Since I am the only RN for the first 3.5 hr I handle most all of the issues that arise. I am usually a very organized nurse, but I am having quite a time.

Does anyone else have similar patient load?

Where I work we have a ratio of 1 RN to 3 Patients. It sounds like I have it pretty good. We do have tech aides who help string the machines etc. but for the most part we are responsible for everything else - accessing, orders, IDPN, Epo, any other meds, etc.

My unit is a very active one in Ontario Canada. We have 21 patients that we dialyse in the morning, early afternoon, and again in the evening. Our unit operates from 07-2300 from Mon-Fri and 07-19 on Saturday and Sunday. We are closed on Christmas day and Boxing Day.

I would love to hear more about your units, does anyone provide nocturnal dialysis in their organizations?

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Hello Kat1994, I was just wondering what company do you work for, we are being bought out by renal alliance and Im afraid that we will begin to experience problems with safe nurse/patient ratio, right now we only have 8 pts and usally 3 nurses but no pct's.

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