Lines and Monitors in the ICU: Preparing the Environment
Lines and Monitors in the ICU: Preparing the Environment
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The numerous lines and monitors in the ICU can seem like a tangled web. Here are a few tips for therapists new to the ICU. Before treatment begins, determine the length and source of each line attached to (or near) the patient. |
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| Check with the nurse before disconnecting or moving any line or monitoring device. Determine which lines can be transferred from the stationary tower to a pole with a battery that can be moved. |  |
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| The length of line needed will vary whether you are sitting a patient up, rolling them over or transferring them from the bed to a chair. |  |
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| Make sure any lines attached to the patient have enough length before moving them. And remember: always determine your shortest line, this one will be the limiting factor when you move your patient. |  |
For more detailed information on the use of monitors and equipment in the ICU, see: Treatment Strategies in the Acute Care of Stroke Survivors.
