Curerntly we work with 2 full time and 1 part time RN. We work 12 hour shifts 7 days a week. We also take call when our shift is done until the next person comes in the next day. So if we are on 3 in a row we work, take call, work and so on. We work alone all but 4 shifts a month and if someone takes 1 day off a schedule then that theory is gone. We do daily rounds assessment, dressing changes, insert picc lines, access and deaccess all ports, dc all piccs, assist the MD with any central line insetion throughtout the facility with our ultrasound. The majority of our lines are picc's we very rarely have tlc in our patients. We also do the difficult IV sticks, sometimes we use our ultrasound for them. We have been trying for years to get 1 more full time employee. Does anyone have any articles or information to support advantages of 2 RN placement, or early assessment? We would love to round daily and do early assessment but being alone it is not possible we have all we can do to keep up with our calls. Thanks.
2008 Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals