Q: How do I hook up the BIS Monitor?  Click here to see an illustrated example

A: This is a multi-step procedure:

1. Wipe the patient’s forehead off with alcohol swab

2. Locate the pulse at the site of the patient’s temple—place the number 3 lead of the BIS strip BELOW this spot (do not place on pulse, it will throw off the BIS monitor).

3. Place number 4 lead parallel to pt’s eyebrow

4. Place 1 and 2 leads at a slant on pt’s forehead

5. Clip the blue rectangular box at the patient’s bedside; keep it away from any electrical equipment

Q: What does HIGH on the sensor check mean?

A:  A HIGH means that the lead at the indicated site needs to be moved to a different site on the patient’s forehead.  The number 3 lead is most commonly the one that is high and this is due to placement at or near the site of the patient’s pulse.

Q: What if I can’t get the monitor to work after several tries?  Should I use a new strip?

A:  Never use a new strip.  If the monitor doesn’t work after several tries of moving the leads around on the patient’s forehead, it means that the patient’s physiology is incompatible with the monitor.  A small portion of patients will have this problem and there is nothing to be done about it except remove the patient from the study.

Q: What does a hollow number mean?

A: A hollow number on the monitor means that the BIS monitor is not getting a “true” read, just an approximate one.  Approximate reads are acceptable for data collection.

Q: How do I do another sensor check?

A: Find the menu button on the lower right hand side of the monitor.  The button is to the left of the set of up/down arrows.  Press the button.  Use the down arrow to scroll to sensor check.  Press the “return button” to the right of the up/down arrows.
 

EmSTAT

Q. How do I log into EmSTAT?
A. Click on the Start menu and open EmSTAT 7.9. Type in the Username: 235689 and Password: research.

Q. What do the acronyms mean?
A.         CP = Chest Pain

            EtOH = Alcohol intoxication

            Fx = Fracture

            GSW = Gun Shot Wound

            HA = Headache

            Htn = Hypertension

            Lac = Laceration

            MVC/MVA = Motor Vehicle Collision/ Motor Vehicle Accident

            N/V = Nausea/ Vomiting

            Nurs = Nurse

            Phys = Physician ultimately responsible for patient

            PMP = Primary Physician

            PV = Previous Visits

            Rm = Room

            ROM = Range of Motion

            RUQ/ RLQ = Right Upper Quadrant/ Right Lower Quadrant

            SA/SARS = Sexual Assault

            SOB = Shortness of Breath

            SpecC = Special Care

            SW = Stab Wound

            Syncope = Fainting

            Sz = Seizure

            TA = Toothache

            TCA = Team Center A

            TCB = Team Center B

            TCC = Team Center C

            TID = Time In Department

            Triage = Sorting patients based on medical severity      

            WC = Wound Check
 

Q. What do the colors mean?
A. The color on the patient’s age indicates the person’s sex; blue = male, pink = female.
 

Q.  How do I read a patient’s chart?
A. Click on the patient’s name or chief complaint.
 

Q. How do I understand the information on the patient’s chart?

A. The tabs at the bottom of the chart allow you to navigate through the chart to obtain the information you need.

            PMH = Past Medical History

            Med = Medicines given

            Disch = Discharge information

            HxPI = History of Presenting Illness

Other Admin = Other Administration (Time in triage and the time the patient entered the department)
 

Q. How do I return to the list of patients after viewing a chart?

A. Click on the Chart Rack button at the top, left side of the screen.
 

Q. How do I print labels?
A. You need to use a computer in one of the departments. View a patient’s chart. Click on Clerical. Click on Print Labels.
 

Q. How do I find out which doctor is in charge of a patient?
A. Click on the patient under the PMP column.

Q. How do I find lab results?
A. Click on the "ORDERS" button at the top center of the screen. Then click on "View Results" on the top right of the screen.
 

BCI ETCO₂

Q: How do I hook up the BCI End-Tidal monitor?

A: Place the prongs of the nasal cannula into the patient’s nose, plug the “female” end of the cannula onto the “male” end on the left hand side of the monitor.

Q: We’re all out of cannulae, where do I get more?

A: The cannulae are located in the storage closet between TCA and TCB.  They are located just inside the door on the lower left hand side shelf.  Ask one of the health care assistants (HCA) to open the closet for you.
 

Microstream ETCO2:

Q: "How do I set up the Microstream End-Tidal monitor?"
A: Click here to view an illustrated example.

Q: "Where can I get more CO2 cannula for the Microstream monitor?"
A: Cannula for the Microstream monitor are kept in Dr. Miner's office.

Q: "How do I get the Microstream software to work?"

A: There are a few things that you must keep in mind when using the Microstream software:

Rhythm Strip:

Q: "How do I obtain a rhythm strip?"
A: Click here to view an illustrated example.

Q: "Where do I find the EKG monitor?"
A: The EKG monitors are stored in the North hallway between Special Care and the STAB Room.

Q: "Is there any danger of shocking the patient?"
A: No.  While the EKG monitor is switched to "monitor" mode there is no danger of shocking the patient.  However, if the monitor is in "Defib" mode you could shock the patient if you deliberately charged the device and simultaneously pressed the discharge buttons.  The bottom line is this: it takes a deliberate effort to shock patients using the EKG monitor.  Without this motivated action on your part, you will not shock the patient accidentally.

Q: "What studies do I need to get a rhythm strip for?"
A: The Agitation Study and Risperdal Study.