what is a typical patient load like

TinyDancer760, BSN · Jun 5, 2014

I worked in an LTACH for a year. I worked both shifts. On days typical patient load was 4-5 and nights was 5-6. Previous to working in the LTACH I was an ICU nurse. Time management skills for me was a huge learning curve going from 2 patients to 6. LTACH patients have a ton going on medically. They are very sick, but are well enough to sit on that call light! This was the most demanding job I ever had, but I also used the widest breadth of nursing skills in this position and learned so much.

bijoutRN, ADN, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 10, 2014

22-30 depending on staging & the shift. LTC/Rehab but most residents very are high acuity.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2014

22-30 depending on staging & the shift. LTC/Rehab but most residents very are high acuity.

This is the LTACH forum. Long Term ACUTE Care Hospitals. A completely different animal from a LTC/SNF/Rehab

bijoutRN, ADN, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 12, 2014

This is the LTACH forum. Long Term ACUTE Care Hospitals. A completely different animal from a LTC/SNF/Rehab

Lol awe man. I ddnt evn notice lol. Thx!

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2014

Lol awe man. I ddnt evn notice lol. Thx!

You're not the only one! Every time I come on this forum I want to say:

"It's long term ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL! Acute Care! Hospital! For a long time, with pts who have developed all manner of ugly sequelae."

Sometimes I'll say it like Esme did, but most days I just bite my tongue...er, fingers.

bijoutRN, ADN, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 14, 2014

You're not the only one! Every time I come on this forum I want to say:
"It's long term ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL! Acute Care! Hospital! For a long time, with pts who have developed all manner of ugly sequelae."
Sometimes I'll say it like Esme did, but most days I just bite my tongue...er, fingers.

??? trust me I understand! I'll google it next time before I respond to the thread.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2014

 trust me I understand! I'll google it next time before I respond to the thread.

Sorry, I just re-read my post... In my head I was saying it half-jestingly, but now I see it came off as snarky. So I do apologize.

bijoutRN, ADN, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 14, 2014

Sorry, I just re-read my post... In my head I was saying it half-jestingly, but now I see it came off as snarky. So I do apologize.

Trust me! I didn't take it that way at all lol

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jun 15, 2014

This is the LTACH forum. Long Term ACUTE Care Hospitals. A completely different animal from a LTC/SNF/Rehab

I'm new to this world, but we have 2 floors at my SNF that are considered LTAC with trach pateints, PEG tubes, complex wound care, IVs, etc. and the ratio is rarely less than 12:1 and often up to 15:1. The nurse is responsible for all meds, treatments, admits, discharges, doctor's orders, etc. Is this not LTAC? We have a specific LTC floor and other nurses say it's more 'laid back' than the two acute floors, but every time I've gone down there to get a form or something (when our floor is out) they seem to have their own issues.

I work the ortho/rehab floor.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 15, 2014

I'm new to this world, but we have 2 floors at my SNF that are considered LTAC with trach pateints, PEG tubes, complex wound care, IVs, etc. and the ratio is rarely less than 12:1 and often up to 15:1. The nurse is responsible for all meds, treatments, admits, discharges, doctor's orders, etc. Is this not LTAC? We have a specific LTC floor and other nurses say it's more 'laid back' than the two acute floors, but every time I've gone down there to get a form or something (when our floor is out) they seem to have their own issues.
I work the ortho/rehab floor.

That actually sounds like a Short-Term Unit, in a LTC....

The LTACs in my area have Med-Surg/Stepdown /Rehab and ICU floors; they usually don't have any LTC on site.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2014

Trust me! I didn't take it that way at all lol

Oh, good. :)

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2014

That actually sounds like a Short-Term Unit, in a LTC....
The LTACs in my area have Med-Surg/Stepdown /Rehab and ICU floors; they usually don't have any LTC on site.

I guess I'm curious how the patients are different. They usually come from the hospital after surgery or an emergency and their stay average is about 30 days.