ISTAN

This week's Istan was quite eventful to say the least.  It definitely tested our critical thinking skills!

I completed trach suctioning, did a portion of the head to toe assessment, hooked up EKG leads and vital sign equipment, dispensed medication, and helped stabilize our patient's declining respiratory status.  My fellow team members also drew blood, corrected an armband error, administered oxygen with an Ambu bag, and all cared for a non verbal trach patient.

I learned several things from the simulation but the most important thing was to be more thorough in assessing Stan!  We missed a very critical key factor while caring for the patient.  I also learned different methods to getting information from non verbal/aphasic patients in the future.

I will definitely do a better job at assessing the patient from head to toe next time.  I will also communicate directly to the patient more.

I learned that when suctioning a trach paitent whose respiratory status is declining, you should go ahead and suction since that is most likely the reason they're stats are declining.  We were trying to get the SPO2 back up to 92% before suctioning which delayed the stats from improving.  I learned that when you take a verbal medication order (VORB) from a HCP, you have to enter the order in to the computer. I also learned the information needed to submit lab orders and that an error in lab labeling can be an automatic fire so it is imperative to get it correct for patient safety.

I learned from the classroom that one of the interventions for trach patients is to sit them up when they are SOB.  Normal vital sign ranges.  I also learned that 2 identifiers are required for patient identification.

Overall, it was a great learning experience.

-K. Reedy, FSCC SN