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Detailed Needs and Requirements: General Nursing Unit
Length of patient stay in a V.A. hospital is currently averaging
approximately 18 days. Orthopedic and neurological patients may
remain in a general nursing unit six weeks or more.
2. Physicians
Specialists assume responsibility for diagnosis and treatment of some
of the patients on general nursing units. Their activities involve visiting
patients on rounds, conducting examinations, administering treatment,
prescribing medications, ordering special diagnostic studies or
treatment programs, referring to or making entries in the patient record,
and consultation with other specialists, residents, interns and nursing
staff. They may also conduct teaching rounds and individual or group
instruction of medical students on the unit.
In addition to their activities on these units the physicians may have
numerous responsibilities that involve them in other areas of the
hospital. For example, they provide consultative services in other
areas, work in outpatient clinics, and are involved in hospital staff
activities. The surgical specialists spend a great deal of their time in
surgery.
Physicians in certain specialties, neurology for example, must
supervise diagnostic procedures for both in and out patients. Where
such procedures require extensive equipment, contiguous in and out
patient facilities may be desirable.
3. Residents and Interns
Residents and interns assume responsibility for the diagnosis and
treatment of most patients. Their activities in this respect are similar to
those of specialist; however, they are involved with more patients on
the unit and spend a greater amount of time on the unit.
They should be able to consult with specialists, other residents and
interns, and the nursing staff as needed.
They accompany specialists on routine or teaching rounds, and may
supervise and instruct medical students in their activities on the unit.
The residents may also be involved in research or study activities while
on the unit.
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