We need a bigger boat

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

So, we have been rocking since new years. 50 bed ER, at least 20 holds per day while seeing greater than normal volumes. No stretcher? No problem, use a recliner. No recliner? No problem, use a chair. No chair? No problem, use a wheelchair. Manager has been beefing up staffing which really helps and prowling the floors to ensure that we know when beds are ready (which she shouldn't have to do but does).

So how you doin'?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

We're doing pretty much what you're doing.

Gotta love the media flu hype ... not.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

One of the local hospitals set up a tent to increase ER capability. Those coming into the ER with flu symptoms get sent to the tent. And they aren't sure how long it'll be in place. I know my hospital has been spending most days running at 120% of capacity. We've cleaned out closets and turned them into patient rooms!

[KnitWitch, ASN, RN]

We opened up one of our mothballed buildings as a flu clinic. We were recently told that the scope has been expanded to also handle some ESI 4/5 patients to take some of the stress off our intermediate area. Ok, fine, whatever, I'll roll. I do wonder what other drivers think when they see the big black hospital SUV roll by crammed full of people wearing yellow masks tho.

On the acute side we're kind of drowning, with daily volume near or over 500. No beds upstairs means everyone downstairs holds. Triage nurses try to run through at shift change and check the 30+ ppl in the WR/hallways/closets/anywhere else we can shove them who are waiting for an acute ED bed. Make sure no one has begun circling the drain. We try to do all the labs/Xrays/EKGs while they wait for an ED room. Sometimes something shows up and they get admitted right from wherever they're waiting.

So you know, just more time in paradise.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Our saturations are well over 200% since Christmas. We hit over 300% one day and I decided that if that foolishness continues I'm going to find a nice sleepy nursing home where I can pass meds and give bedbaths.

[N1colina]

Our saturations are well over 200% since Christmas. We hit over 300% one day and I decided that if that foolishness continues I'm going to find a nice sleepy nursing home where I can pass meds and give bedbaths.

"Nice sleepy nursing home??" I'm guessing you've never worked in one hahahaha

[thelema13]

60 bed ED seeing 250-300/day, holding anywhere from 5-30 patients, mostly ICU and PCU patients. Not a lot of snowbirds either, just normal people with the flu getting admitted, lots of pneumonia. Recently had 4 patients in same shift test positive for c-dif. I had a bottle of air freshsner in my pocket that day.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

11-bed ER with a 4-bed fast track, seeing 100+ in 24 hrs on average. Yes, really. Where is that bigger boat?!

[SweetCorn]

Last night was bliss.

We went back to our pre-holiday like volumes and it was nice and slow. Pediatric traffic was and remains well above normal though. I think last nights lull is because I've swabbed every kids nose in town.

[Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

It's nice to know that my ED is not alone. The same for another hospital close to mine.

We've been consistently boarding about 18 patients waiting for floor beds. The ER nurses have not been happy about doing more floor nursing than ER. Unless a patient is actively dying, they come via EMS and go to the triage area. The lobby has been used as a treatment room also. There have been a few shifts where safe harbor reports have been filled out. We've been asked to come in on days off for even a couple of hours to help out. Many nurses have been working so much that now they're avoiding answering the phone. Everyone is exhausted and it's not slowing down.

It's been beyond crazy.

[Sassy5d]

We were super busy last night.. Lots of abdominal pain and people bringing their garbage cans in from home.

Love flu season