We're Making A List

Today we compiled a list of tasks day shift RNs complete daily in addition to scheduled medications and assessments. Here it is:

• Even rooms CHG baths and daily photos
• 10am SBT now
• Ambulate cv pts TID always
• Ambulate pts that can walk too!
• Chair for meals
• Meals TID
• CT/MRI
• Lab all day long
• Rounding with multidisciplinary team
• Completing orders put in during rounds
• Answering family and visitors questions 
• Answering MDs chart chats
• Assisting with techs with X-rays 

Solutions:

Our #1 solution came down to needing more resources. Resources in the form of:

1. Adequate Staffing: Adding more responsibilities without allocating additional time is unsustainable. With the new plans assigned to the day shift and the influx of a new patient population requiring specialized care and critical thinking, it is essential to ensure adequate staffing and clearly defined roles.
2. Recliner Chairs: Our unit does not have enough reclining chairs on a consistent basis to support the mobility goals we aim for. I move to order more chairs dedicated to our ICU and tag them with security tags to ensure they are not removed from unit. 
3. Voceras: Repeatedly logging into the Rover app is time-consuming, and frequent camera glitches that require finding another Vocera and restarting the process are inefficient. If we are to dedicate time to photos and wounds, it is essential to be provided with a reliable device that facilitates our work rather than complicates it.
4. PCTs: Our PCTs are a crucial part of what we do. We think that having PCTs start a time table or schedule at the start of the shift to map out times of baths and pictures with nurses this would facilitate a more steady workflow.