2021 Annual Conference

CNS as Project Manager
Role of CNS in COVID-19 Pandemic
Patient Populations
Capture Value of the CNS

In the setting of a surge of critically ill COVID-19 patients, our organization identified a critical need for resources to support the care of the patients in the ICU setting. Additionally, our organization identified an excess of resources in non-critical care setttings due to a cancellation of elective procedures and reduced volumes in outpatient areas. In alignment with the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) recommendations, there was an opportunity to utilize non-critical care nurses to provide direct patient care with oversight from the critical care nurse.Twelve training sessions were conducted with a didactic lecture portion, a skills lab simulation, electronic learning modules, and ICU nurse shadowing. Some of the training included drawing blood from an arterial line, oral care and in line suctioning of the mechanically ventilated patient, CRRT drainage bag changes, quality bundles to prevent VAE, and drip titration under direct supervision of the ICU nurse.  Following completion of the training, 57 nurses were trained and ready to be redeployed as needed to the ICU setting. Nurses from a variety of clinical settings were trained including acute care, perioperative services, and other nursing support services.Overall, the cross-trained nurses were able to provide support to five different ICUs throughout the hospital.The cross-training program helped to build relationships among nurses in both acute care and ICU while also building a better understanding of workflows outside of nurses' home units. Additionally, the cross-training program helped to develop and enhance the non-ICU nurses' knowledge and skill set. The cross trained nurses will be able to continue to support the ICUs and help reduce the burden that this pandemic and other potential crises can and will have on ICUs.