116 | Unique roles in the ER | EKG tech and scribe | How to avoid burnout

We talk about stat vs routine EKG orders as well as metrics that they are always working to hit on time

When EKG’s are not done on time the source of the problem needs to be found, sometimes it is the providers’ fault for not realizing the EKG order had not been placed 

We talk about how we should communicate between provider and EKG tech and how much info we like to get as providers

I talk about how providers need to become good at task switching frequently and this includes signing EKG’s

We talk about the responsibility of the PA or NP to sign EKG’s (calling STEMI’s or deciding not a STEMI) and how this responsibility is currently in the hands of the physicians only

Sean talks about how important EKG’s can still fall through the cracks at times and people will still point the blame all the way back to the EKG tech

It’s important to make sure you do your job well and then realize some things are out of your hands

Cheyenne talks about an experience she had with an end-of-life patient she cared for

Even being just peripherally involved in a patient’s care can really affect you emotionally

Avoiding burnout:

Cheyenne likes to go to the gym or hang out at home with her dogs

Sean talks about how he avoids burnout doing a job that can sometimes be repetitive

Sean also talks about the importance of calmness in front of patients, even when an EKG might be alarming

Don’t sweat the small things, especially in the ED, everyone is under a lot of stress, and you can’t allow a small comment from a stressed-out coworker to get under your skin and make you spiral 

Sean talks about some methods to reassure patients despite not being able to diagnose their EKG 

We talk about the importance of stress management in the ED so that you can think clearly about the next patient

It is not your emergency, we must be the calm in the storm

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Everything you hear today from myself and my guests is opinion only and doesn’t represent any organizations or companies that any of us are affiliated with. The stories you hear have been modified to protect patient privacy and any resemblance to real individuals is coincidental. This is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice nor used to diagnose any medical or healthcare conditions.