February Education Newsletter | Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit

JoAnna Bentsen

March 19, 2024

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Competency Season Reminders: Competencies are Due on June 17th!

You must complete your assigned Competencies:
2024 FY CVICU Competency Curriculum
For CRRT and ECMO users: the CRRT and ECMO competencies are not in the package- they are assigned to you separately
HR Compliance Items
Review your Compliance Portal

We are 1 month into competency season: If you start on them now, you have plenty of time to identify any questions that need to be elevated!

** Me when I open my learning exchange to start on yearly competencies**

Furosemide (Lasix) Push Dose Change

Lasix will now be available in push doses up to 100 mg doses. This change in formulation will decrease the downtime between order and administration of Lasix doses.

When administering Lasix via push dose, two important things to remember are:
- The drug may be given undiluted
- To prevent Ototoxicity, push this drug slowly over 2.5-5 minutes

Drip Titration: What you start matters!

When starting a titratable medication, there are a few key points to note.

1. Each drip will have an initiation dose- some will give a range, as seen above, or they may have a single number.
2. In order to be compliant with your scope of practice, you need to start the dose within the titration dose range. IF your ordered dose doesnt match the medication your patient is requiring, talk to your advanced practice provider or physician and they can alter the order to match your clinical assessment.

Pacer Dependent Patients: Grab a second, you need backup!

If your patient is dependent on their pacemaker, what happens if their pacemaker battery dies?
so does your patient!!

You need to have a backup pacemaker programmed at the same settings in your room!

CVICU Procedure & Emergency Management Course!

March 12th
Sign up in Learning Exchange!!

1. Competencies are due June 17th!
2. You can now give Lasix push up to 100 mg
3. You must start gtt's at the ordered dose by providers
4. Pacer-dependent patients need to have a backup pacemaker in the room
5. Skills day is February 29th 0700-1100
6. Procedure Emergency Management course is March 12th

CVICU INQUIRER | February 2024
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