The ICU

Hi all,
Apologise for the slow entry was having some blogging issues!
I have just finished my first week of the cardio placement at a major teaching hospital. I am on general surgery rotation for the first two weeks. Felt like I was somewhat prepared for the pulmonary and various abdominal surgery patients, but didn’t know what to expect from the heart patients.
The second day of prac I was sent to the ICU to treat a day one CABG x3 pretty much on my own (my supervisor was treating someone else in the same room).
Having never set foot in an ICU before, I was imagining mass car crash victims and other horribly ill patients with staff furiously running around everywhere (probably in part due to my years of watching medical dramas on TV). Needless to say, I was a little apprehensive about treating this day 1 patient. When I actually got to the ICU everything was quite calm and my patient was already sitting out of bed reading the paper and looking fantastic only a few hours after heart surgery. The staff were really friendly, the patients appeared stable and there were lots of empty beds. As for my heart patient, I have followed his progress this week seeing him twice per day. I continue to be amazed at the rate of his recovery. With one flight of stairs on the agenda prior to discharge (approximately day 5 post-op). this patient is well on his way back to functioning in the community and enjoying life. Ahh the marvels of modern medicine.

As far as the ICU goes i was wondering if I just saw it on a quiet day or if this is the usual presentation? Would appreciate any experiences from other students who have treated patients in ICU

Jess