Orthopeadic Specialty Unit (OSU)
Location:
Swann Tower, 6th Floor
# Beds:
27 (private and semi-private)
Unit Manager:
Robin Testerman, RN, MBA, ONC
Asst. UM:
Sherry Harper, RN
Clinical Educator:
Type of unit:
The majority of patients served on OSU are pre- and post-op orthopedic procedures. These include, but are not limited to, fractures, total joint replacement, and laminectomies.
Typical nurse to patient ratio:
Team nursing, modified team as well as primary nursing care are included in our staffing plan, based upon patient care needs. For example, a team could consist of an RN/LPN/NCT for 7-9 patients, and RN/LPN modified team for 5-6 patients, and RN primary for 4-5 patients.
Typical pt diagnosis:
Total joint repairs, fractures, laminectomies, kyphplasty, as well as a wide variety of medical patients that may require remote monitoring including, but not limited to, chronic lung disease, diabetes, congestive heart failure, syncope, and acute renal failure.
Common skills utilized:
Medical/surgical nursing, PCA’s, epidural catheter, blood transfusions, drains, dressing changes.
Most common meds / those nurses must be familiar with:
Antibiotics, anticoagulants, blood products, pain meds
Care extenders used:
Primarily nurse care techs (NCTs) who pass trays, assist those patients needing assistance, pass ice, answer lights, set up rooms for new admits/transfers, AM/PM care, etc. Physical Therapy unit housed on Swann 6 to provide patients with twice daily PT, as ordered by physician.
Certification req for cert diff:
ONC (National Orthopedic Nurse Certified), through NAON (National Association of Orthopedic Nurses)
Selling points for Unit:
- Strong core staff
- 12-hour shifts
- Self-scheduling
- Charge nurses
- 42% RN’s are nationally certified in orthopedics
- Cohesive interdisciplinary team
- Continuing & advanced education is encouraged
- Shared governance participation