Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU)

ACU Clinical REWARDS Recipient for 2008
Stephanie Ford

Location:

Swann Tower, 4th Floor

# Beds:

22

Unit Manager:

Wanda Bardwell, RN

Asst. UM:

Shelly Benson

Type of unit:

Outpatient diagnostic testing, IV therapy, medical observation (*Stay < 24 hours!)

Typical nurse to patient ratio:

Team Nursing ratio – RN:LPN, 4-6 patients
Primary Nursing ratio – RN ~2-3 patients

Typical pt diagnosis:

chest mass/swelling, PVD, ascites, chest pain (non-origin specific), CHF, anemia, neuropathy, renal stenosis, back pain, etc.; diagnostic heart caths; interventional radiology

Common skills utilized:

Good IV skills a must. Prep for diagnostics; patient education before & after procedures; post-procedure, care; patient discharges; ability to prioritize, function and be flexible to daily assignment changes in fast paced environment; use of pre- and post-procedure protocols; EQUIPMENT – IV pump (Alaris), PCAs, hemochron, sheath pulling, Doppler, glucometer, clippers, ETCO2, bladder scan, blood draw equipment, Dinamap, EKG, telemetry monitors. Basic arrhythmia class and ACLS certification recommended.

Most common meds / those nurses must be familiar with:

Narcotics, mucomyst, sodium bicarb, insulin, antiemetics, NSAIDS, sedation & reversal drugs

Care extenders used:

LPNs and CNAs to assist

Certification for Diff:

Med-Surg certification or Ambulatory Care cert.

Selling points for Unit:

Great team! 8-hour shifts, closed holidays, fast-paced! Great learning opportunity!

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