Bartlett Regional | House Calls | Spring 2020

Elevating care with e-ICU For more than a decade, health care providers in the Critical Care Unit at Bartlett Regional Hospital have had access to round-the-clock consultation, guidance and support from doctors and nurses at Providence Hospitals in Anchorage and Montana. The e-ICU system includes in-room cameras and monitors that allow for audio/visual two-way monitoring and communication between remote providers and Bartlett patients. Long-time CCU nurse Liesl Bland, RN, appreciates the opportunity to interact and troubleshoot with e-ICU staff in Anchorage who, due to the larger base population, may have more experience with certain patient conditions. The e-ICU care teams are also available for consultation by phone. “They can see the patient’s vital signs and trends, write orders and give consultations,” says CCU Director Audrey Rasmussen, RN. “They can also zoom in on our IV pump and check settings and view patients’ electronic health records.” She notes e-ICU staff are veteran critical care floor nurses who can be especially reassuring to new nurses on the night shift team. “The majority of our patients are admitted due to drugs and alcohol,” notes Audrey. Detrimental effects of alcohol include GI bleeding and pancreatitis. Alcohol can also cause cardiomyopathy, or heart failure. Another effect of continuous substance use is a pattern of non-compliance with medications. “They are under the influence so not strictly following their medication schedule,” Audrey says. The e-ICU system was recently helpful with recommendations for new medications to help such patients. difference.” As CCU director, she oversees a crew of about 30 nurses. Luke Dihle, RN, has been part of the tight group for a dozen years. “I think all the coworkers get along well and we work well together,” says Luke. “A lot of times there’s only two of us on at a time. So you have to depend on each other and have each other’s back.” Luke was born and raised in Juneau and is raising his own family here. “I think my favorite thing about Bartlett is that it is truly a community hospital,” he says. “And if you’ve lived in Juneau for more than five minutes, you’re going to start recognizing people that come through the door. The patient that you have today might be fixing your car next week or end up being your kid’s teacher in a year or two. We’re all connected.” The best care for critically ill patients A recent patient was a grandmother who, like some critical care patients, required a lifesaving respiratory treatment that was difficult to accept. “Her daughter wanted her to be intubated. The patient wasn’t sure about it,” recalls Luke. “And you know, sitting there and talking with her, holding her hand, she decided that was going to be okay for her. And so she was intubated and she was sick for several days. She returned back to baseline health and looked a lot better. Her daughter was really happy that she’d made that choice and hadn’t made the choice to pass away at that point. And now she’s back with her grandkids.” “It’s rewarding work,” adds colleague Dennis Hall, RN. You’re helping people and, at the end of the day, you can be happy that you helped someone out that needed it. And so that’s rewarding in itself.” Keith Goering, RN; and Audrey Rasmussen, RN, CCU Director. Right photo, from left: Luke Taintor, RN; Dennis Hall, RN; and Luke Dihle, RN www.bartletthospital.org 5