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MEDICINE TRIAGE AND RESPIROLOGY UNITS, VH

Program Description:

The Medicine Triage Unit (MTU) is specifically designed to treat and deliver care to a medicine patient population with a higher acuity or an anticipated short stay (<72 hours), and patients requiring bedside cardiac monitoring.

The Respirology Unit treats and delivers cares to patients with acute respiratory disease including those requiring non-invasive ventilation (BiPap) and those requiring bedside cardiac monitoring.

Total patient care is provided to both of these patient populations, with a focus on patient/family centred care.

General Information:

• Number of beds: MTU- 14, Resp- 14
• Team Composition: Coordinator, clinical educator, APN, RNs, unit clerks, Allied health professionals (OT, PT, SW, RD, SLP, pharmacist, CCAC), PSA’s and TSA, Medical clinical teaching units with internal medicine or respirologist support
• Average length of stay: MTU: until stable or if short stay < 72 hours, Resp: 8.5 days
• Nurse to patient ratio: depends on acuity but averages 1:3-1:5
• Hospital Site: Victoria: Level 5

Scheduling Information:

• 12 hour shift (0700-1900 and 1900-0700)
  
• Rotation is the “mirror” schedule with stats built into the schedule resulting in onen week off every 6 weeks.

Background Essentials:

• 2 years of General Medicine and/or Respirology experience strongly preferred
  
• Current experience in ECG rhythm recognition, Non-invasive ventilation, venipuncture and IV initiation preferred

Professional Assets:

• CNA Certification in Emergency, Critical Care, Cardiology, GI preferred
  
• ACLS an asset

Professional Development:

• 1 week of classroom orientation upon hire along with a variable clinical orientation based on experience and need
  
• Regular updates and in-services
• Support to attend conferences, courses when possible
• Ongoing support for continuing education i.e. post-RN BScN

Student Consolidation:

• Students receive a broad generalized education in many different medicine diagnoses and treatment regimens, familiarization with lab test analysis, prioritizing workload, working within an IDT
• Formalized preceptor program is in place

Program Links:

• The Medicine CBU website is accessible internally with links to Medicine at VH many other websites

Contact Information:

Krista Morrison, Coordinator, Recruitment Services
(519) 685-8500 ext 32303
krista.morrison@lhsc.on.ca

Date Last Updated: September 2009

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