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

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