telemetry staffing ratios trauma level I hospital?

lee1 · Jul 2, 2004

Hi all, wondering what your staffing ratios look like on your telemetry units. Are yours somewhat protected by your State hospital standards????

Do you have units called "cluster"-----4 bed designated with pts between ICU/telemtry???? What is that ratio?????

Trauma Columnist · Jul 3, 2004

I couldn't imagine this "cluster" thing - is this a popular concept?

Trauma Columnist · Jul 3, 2004

I couldn't imagine this "cluster" thing - is this a popular concept?

lee1 · Jul 3, 2004

I couldn't imagine this "cluster" thing - is this a popular concept?

Some administrators may think so but the staff really hate it.

These are patients that you would find in an ordinary ICU that are not vented. NTG drips up to 50 mics, continuous pulseox, Amniodarone boluses/drips, low dose Dopamine/Dobutamine/Milrinone. ICU ratios are 1:2, telemetry is 1:4, 1:5 during the daytime, so why should cluster be 1:4? Should really be 1:3 but the beds were already set up as 4.

The bigger problem is getting coverage for breaks, meals,etc. and that tech help when you need it, plus if you have more than 1 patient having a critical problem at one time when you have 4 to be responsible for.

lee1 · Jul 3, 2004

I couldn't imagine this "cluster" thing - is this a popular concept?

Some administrators may think so but the staff really hate it.

These are patients that you would find in an ordinary ICU that are not vented. NTG drips up to 50 mics, continuous pulseox, Amniodarone boluses/drips, low dose Dopamine/Dobutamine/Milrinone. ICU ratios are 1:2, telemetry is 1:4, 1:5 during the daytime, so why should cluster be 1:4? Should really be 1:3 but the beds were already set up as 4.

The bigger problem is getting coverage for breaks, meals,etc. and that tech help when you need it, plus if you have more than 1 patient having a critical problem at one time when you have 4 to be responsible for.

lee1 · Jul 4, 2004

I have to imagine that many nurses work in telemetry. Anyone else care to answer????

lee1 · Jul 4, 2004

I have to imagine that many nurses work in telemetry. Anyone else care to answer????

jaimealmostRN · Jul 4, 2004

Lee, I sent you a PM.

jaimealmostRN · Jul 4, 2004

Lee, I sent you a PM.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2004

Telemetry means different things to different people and hospitals. Sounds like you're talking more of a progressive step down unit to me. Our Telemetry unit is primarily non-cardiac medical telemetry. We also have a PCU, which is more cardiac, but not step down. The ratios are 4 or 5:1 days, 6:1 nights with CNAs helping.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2004

Telemetry means different things to different people and hospitals. Sounds like you're talking more of a progressive step down unit to me. Our Telemetry unit is primarily non-cardiac medical telemetry. We also have a PCU, which is more cardiac, but not step down. The ratios are 4 or 5:1 days, 6:1 nights with CNAs helping.