What's an IO

[ErinBSN]

Okay, so I had to recert ACLS.

I had to take the 2 day class (UGH UGH UGH) because the 1 day would conflict with vacay (nothings getting in the way of me and Harry Potter land at Universal-especially now that I just saw the last movie!!)

So, I'm sitting there (thankfully one of my old buds was in the class she too had a conflict and had to do the 2 day) and they were talking about IO's.

A woman from the other side raised her hand and says "What is all thsi talk bout IO's what are these"

Okay, I'll give it to her, floor nurse, might not know, new nurse might not know.

The Instructor states intraosseous. She literally looks like she's confused. She goes "Okay, what does that mean?" The instructor asked "what do you do?" She answers with an indignant tone "I'm a registered nurse" The instructor broke it down and said "It's a catheter that inserts through bone, which can be used if IV access can't be established" She than askes "you can give meds and fluids through this?" (again with the confused look) The instructor goes "Yes, if placed properly you can infuse through those just like you would a regular INT"

She than shakes her head side to side still looking confused. The instructor asks what still has her confused and the response was "IF it's in the bone, the fluid would just pop back out the bone is solid all the way through!":eek:

The instructor drew a picture of a bone on the white board. She was still confused and was told to stay after on the next break.

Later on we go to lunch, my buddy and I are in line for the sandwhich line and she's talking to another nurse "I think the ER people make things up, who in their right mind would put a needle in bone? It's ridiculous, ER people think they are Gods":cool:

I was a good girl and just ordered a tuna on wheat with no tomato and kept my mouth shut. Am I missing something? Or would other's be as flabergasted as I was (yes, my spelling stinks tonight 1 word Vicodin)

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

The issue is not with her not knowing what an IO is - I have dealt with plenty who have been unfamiliar with that. And I wouldn't comment as far as not knowing the A&P on it. I still have plenty of Nurses, CC and otherwise, who think that we do bone marrow transplants by the MD injecting it into the bone, and that pts have to be in " bubble boy" type rooms.

It's a specialty thing.

But the lack of acceptance of proven data, in an ACLS class, is quite troubling.

[BoykinRN]

If she passed the ACLS class I hope I never see her standing above me . If I do, the shock would restart my heart:redbeathe. I believe the way student nurses pass the NCLEX with as few as 75 questions is leading to a large group of not well-prepared nurses. Maybe it starts with the caliber of people accepted to nursing schools. I love precepting students and new nurses but I do expect them to be intelligent and accept fact for fact.

Lynne Boykin RN

18 year veteran

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

When I graduated nursing school, I would not have known what an IO was without at least using the full term. We just didn't cover emergency medicine that thoroughly, so I can understand why she didn't know, especially if she was new. Remember that she was taking ALCS for the first time. She might not even have a job yet, but could be taking the class to boost her resume or for knowledge.

I would, however, have been wise enough not to think the instructor was making things up.

[dragn2623]

If she had read the material before the class she would have known what IO stood for......... I think it shows lack of personal preparation for the ACLS. I read that book several times over because I was at a disadvantage to everyone because I have no work experience.... sigh...

[AJPV]

I'll graduate in 5 months, and we have NEVER talked about an IO in our schooling. We're too busy playing NANDA linguistic games and trying to avoid talking about medicine since "we're becoming nurses, not doctors." The problem is not a lack of intelligence among students; the problem is that those who have control over the direction of nursing education are steering it sharply away from learning medical knowledge.

[4_Sq]

At least this nurse asked the question, and NO ONE should ever be faulted for asking. I would not want to think that I knew all the answers.

..".Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will"...

Vernon Howard

[LegzRN]

I wish the EDs I worked at would be more accepting of dropping IOs, but even in code situations, our physicians are still hell bent on placing central lines. If you go to the EZ IO website, you can watch videos of people dropping IOs into the proximal humerus taking no longer than 10 seconds.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I think the nurse in question understood what IO meant after it was explained. However, her belief that bone is solid all the way through bothers me more. It's pretty basic to know what the structure of a bone is!

[BrandonB779]

I learned about IOs while out in the field, I've been a practicing EMT for almost 8 years now, and in school we never ever talked about IOs but I've heard around the hospital ER about how some of my friends/co-workers have attempted or use them in very desperate situations (i.e. difficult codes, trauma arrests, etc) but its like a last resort. However (and yes quite dark I guess) is that when the medics and staff do get to do this, they get a little excited (atleast the ones I know) cuz its not something we see very often up here in the service area I'm in.

[handyrn]

WOW! I had never heard of this. I watched the video on the EZ IO website. Why does this not hurt like H***?!?!

[Jeanne M P]

games and trying to avoid talking about medicine since "we're becoming nurses, not doctors."

WOW! I almost fell off my chair when I read this. Twenty years ago when I went to nursing school, knowing your medications was paramount (anyone remember doing drug cards listing all possible side effects?). I would be very wary of any nursing program that does not advocate nurses being required to know precisely what they are administering. I have read some disturbing posts by new nurses and nursing students however, hands down, this is the most troubling.