Unit Notes
This document provides a detailed overview of the Unit 7 North Medical Cardiac Telemetry nursing unit at Memorial Glenwood hospital. It covers key operational, clinical, and staffing information relevant to nursing professionals working or considering work in this unit.
Unit and Hospital Information
" Unit Name: Unit 7 North Medical Cardiac Telemetry
" Hospital: Memorial Glenwood
" Cost Center: 251003306
" Number of Beds: 32 [1] [2]
Staffing and Scheduling
" Nurse to Patient Ratios: 1:5 during the 7 AM shift and 1:6 during the 7 PM shift
" Charge Nurse: Present on every shift and takes an assignment; often included in staffing but not the primary goal
" Nurse Aids/Patient Care Technicians: Present with a ratio of about 12-15 patients per technician; duties include taking vitals, bathing, blood glucose monitoring, phlebotomy, and assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs)
" Scheduling: Both self-scheduling and block scheduling are allowed
" Weekend and Holiday Requirements: Nurses work every other weekend or less; holiday shifts are assigned on a rotation basis
" Call or Standby: On-call is required as a last resort for travelers
" Floating Requirements: Nurses are required to float as needed [3] [4]
Certifications and Skills
" Required Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
" Experience: Nurses must have experience or skills in medical cardiac care
" Drip Management: Registered Nurses (RNs) are required to titrate drips
" Common Drips: Amiodarone (Amio), Heparin (Hep), Insulin, Cardizem [5] [6]
Patient and Clinical Information
" Common Diagnoses: Medical cardiac conditions, specifically congestive heart failure (CHF)
" Respiratory Therapy Equipment: Use of High Flow oxygen and BiPAP for less than 24 hours; RNs are not required to manage these beyond troubleshooting
" Telemetry Monitoring: No on-unit Tele/Monitor Technicians; virtual monitoring is used and RNs are responsible for reading their own ECG strips; Client telemetrymonitors are used [7] [8]
Orientation and Dress Code
" Orientation: Unit-specific orientation lasts for 3 shifts
" Scrub Color: Navy blue scrubs are worn by staff [9] [10]
This summary encapsulates the operational, clinical, and staffing framework of the Medical Cardiac Telemetry unit at Memorial Glenwood, providing a comprehensive snapshot for nursing staff and administrators alike.