Staffing

[sonia.tucker.rn]

I am a pediatric nurse working for a smaller community hospital. Our Peds nurses are cross-trained to work the MBU and NICU as well, since our Peds census is low most of the time.

We have recently remodeled and our Peds unit is now in an area of the MBU that can be segregated off in the event of a "dirty" Peds patient.

This has been a great solution for us for the most part. However, a situation arose in which I would appreciate input.

Situation: pediatric patient with a bad case of cellulitis. Wound is not open or weepy, so cultures cannot be acquired.

Would you have the nurse caring for this pediatric patient also take care of a newborn (less than 24 hours old) and the mom?

Of course, appropriate PPE is being utilized, but my concerns are having an infected patient and a newborn in the same patient load doesn't seem safe. I could totally be wrong and may be overthinking things. But your input is appreciated!

[Cheyenne RN,BSHS]

Ideally no, the same nurse should not have an infected patient and an at risk newborn. Sadly it is not always possible with staffing.