surgical step-down staff ratios?

[SSDUPOK]

What is the consensus on ratios for surgical step-down units? Currently we have 3:1 and sometimes 4:1 without any ancillary help (CNA, techs, or secretary) only RN's. Patients are on tele with multiple drains and various types of pain meds. We use computer documentation. We bath and ambulate them ourselves. We order and stock our own supplies, linens and medications, and clean common areas. Is this the accepted average?

[FancypantsRN]

Yes, as far as I have seen it is. The facility I am currently at, it is 3:1. The ones I have personally worked on (open heart step-down), it was usually 4:1 days and 5:1 nights (sometimes with techs and sometimes not). The techs could not do a lot of things when we did have them, like accuchecks, blood draws, ambulating, first showers for post ops, etc.

We did not have to order and stock though, or clean though.

[SSDUPOK]

thanks for the reply. the techs can be very help with pt ADL's and emptying foley's and getting temps. we don't have them now but we are trying to get that sort help.