Seeing a New Patient in the ER

Written By Rachel F

  1. First step: ICU or no ICU

    1. You deem patient needs no ICU: Text/Call Attending (at beginning of career, always lean towards calling)

      1. Notify ED doc + nurse

      2. Notify patient

      3. Start then immediately pend consult note

    2. You deem the patient needs ICU: Text/Call Attending (at beginning of career, always lean towards calling)

      1. Tell Patient

      2. Place admit order, call charge nurse/bed control

      3. Basic and important orders - things that if not done, would negatively affect patient (e.g. vent order set is important, but not necessarily k/mag protocol if they have a normal potassium)

      4. Notify patients nurse/ED doc

      5. Start then immediately pend note

      6. Add N/C/S to list then appropriate boxes; do pended notes once able

  2. Rationale:

    1. Pended notes —> every time you exit EPIC you will see how many you have left

    2. Basic orders —> if things get crazy you know important stuff is done

    3. Boxes —> stay organized just in case things get chaotic

Rachel F

Rachel is a physician assistant who has been holding down the ICU since 2016. She joined the Pulmcast podcast in 2017 and has been hooked on FOAMed ever since. Rachel has a passion for teaching using technology with a special focus on preserving dignity in the ICU. When she's not at work, you’ll find her playing with her golden retriever, hunting for thrift store treasures, and soaking up time with her husband and son.

Next

Swan Ganz Catheters