Hello. The small (6 bed) military ER I am working at is floating the idea of closing the lab (having lab on call 30 min response) from 11-6am. We are expected to still function as a full ER and we would do simple point of care testing during those hours. My concern is how can we be an ER if we don't have immediate lab service for stats and blood release. Granted our utilization is low that time of night but shouldn't we be prepared for worse case scenario?
MaxAttack, BSN, RN 476 Posts Specializes in critical care. Has 8 years experience. Apr 14 I don't work ER but a very busy level I trauma ICU and honestly I find our POC ABG/VBG with resus panel (hgb, glucose, K, etc) far more valuable in a critical situation than the actual lab with their long turnaround times. I wouldn't even notice a 30 minute difference. There has to be a way to access emergency blood, though. Even keeping a bags of O- in a fridge that lab could leave and then take back in the morning. That seems like a non-negotiable to me.
NurseL1998 2 Posts Specializes in ER. Has 25 years experience. Apr 14 MaxAttack said: I don't work ER but a very busy level I trauma ICU and honestly I find our POC ABG/VBG with resus panel (hgb, glucose, K, etc) far more valuable in a critical situation than the actual lab with their long turnaround times. I wouldn't even notice a 30 minute difference. There has to be a way to access emergency blood, though. Even keeping a bags of O- in a fridge that lab could leave and then take back in the morning. That seems like a non-negotiable to me. Only POC we would be allowed to do is strep/flu U preg and UA !😱
