Welcome to ICU
The ICU looks after level 2 patients (Base 1) and level 3 patients (Base 2) across a 19 bed unit.
Located on the 1st floor, adjacent to SAU/Cardiology
Key contacts
- Rota Coordinator – Julie Carter (FV.anaesthetics@nhs.scot)
- Senior Charge Nurse – Heather Riddoch
- Clinical Lead – Dr Fiona McIlveney
- Ward Clerks – Linda & Graham
- Pharmacist – Stephen O’Neil
- College tutor – Dr Neil Stewart
Day to Day
8:30 – Handover & safety brief
9:00-10:30am – Junior WR reviews, then a consultant will start their ward round.
10-11:00 – Consultant does the ward round (they happen simultaneously on base 1 and 2). Nurses in charge join the ward rounds too.
1200-16:00 – Ward tasks, update families and refer to specialties for advice.
16:00 – Microbiology “board” round – in the MDT room. Consultant Microbiologist comes with a micro update on all ICU patients e.g. new results, and advises if any changes to antibiotics should be made or any more tests requested.
17:30 – Home time
Weekend shifts are essentially the same as during the week, however there are fewer medics around. You also have a better chance to go and admit somebody with the consultant during the day than you have during the normal week. There is no microbiology round on Sundays.
FY1/2 Role
You will be tasked with reviewing a few patients each morning then presenting to the consultant on the ward round later in the morning. This is an excellent opportunity to hone manage plans and get some real time feedback.
Responsibilities include:
- Keep ward round documents up to date (micro stickers, safety handover)
- Complete transfer or discharge letters
- Help nursing staff with procedures such as cannulation, bloods, NG tube insertion
- Ward round prescribing
- Chasing results/investigations
- Working with AHP/nursing staff to best management complex and unwell patients
Staffing
There are usually 2 consultants on for the week – one takes base 1, the other takes base 2. They also decide who will carry the WiFi phone for all new referrals. The weekday consultants usually finish at 17:00 (with a backshift until 20:30). At night there is one Anaesthetic Consultant + one anaesthetic trainee, and they finish after the morning handover starts (8:30am)
There are also 2-3 anaesthetic trainees (various levels) and 3-4 FY2s, plus 2-3 FY1s.
ICU nursing staff are extremely experienced and a fantastic resource for new medical staff. They are generally very skilled with procedures including cannulation, venepuncture, NG tubes, ventilator use and catheterisation. Depending on the level of acuity nurses with be 1:1 or 1:2 with their patients.
Education
Weekly Friday education sessions lasting 1-2 hours on various topics.
Morbidity and mortality meeting around 14-15:00 on Friday in the ICU MDT room – someone usually brings some cakes, tea etc.
Lots of opportunities for extra teaching in ICU, just ask! Most consultants will be happy to teach during quiet periods on the ward.
Additional opportunities:
- 2-3 weeks in pre-op clinic & at high risk clinic with consultant
- Microbiology sessions (including lab time)
- Theatre time 1:1 with consultant
- Procedures: cannulas, laryngoscopy, intubation, spinal anaesthetics, regional blocks etc.
- Lots of QI/M&M projects to get involved with
Useful Info
When someone is being stepped down to a ward, a transfer letter needs done – this is completed in EDMS using a template. To get access to this, you need to email Sian – she can also help with any EDMS issues.
A lot of the time during out of hours, you’ll have the opportunity to admit new patients with the consultant – this is often where you learn the most so don’t be shy to tell the consultants that you’re keen to go with them
Scrubs live in a cupboard/cage in the main theatre reception area and should be worn during ICU rotation. Lockers are available in the changing rooms, you need your own padlock.