Critical Care Nursing: Kirby's Rule of 20

By: Charmonie Baugh, LVT

Description: When patients need critical care nursing, using Kirby’s Rule of 20, is a daily check list for nurses to evaluate vital parameters to ensure quality patient care is being implemented and provided. This checklist provides a reference for nurses to develop critical thinking skills based on patient observations and assessments and to consider the whole patient, not just individual systemic issues.

By the end of the session, attendees will be able to:

1. Improving patient outcomes by using a structured approach for managing critical care patients.
2. Enhancing critical thinking skills in veterinary nurses by promoting a proactive approach.
3. Establishing standards of care for critically ill patients.

Speaker Info: As a Regional Trainer for Thrive Pet Healthcare, I focus on developing tailored training programs that meet the specific needs of different teams and hospitals. I emphasize interactive learning with practical applications to ensure participants can implement new skills effectively. Previously, I have over 6 years of experience as an Associate Clinical Specialist III at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine Anesthesia Department, where I provided anesthesia services and education for a variety of animal species and procedures. Additionally, I was employed as a Lead Surgery Technician at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital for 17 years providing anesthetic and surgical nursing care for the surgery, cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, emergency, and exotics services. I also have a passion for public health, and I am pursing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health at LSU Health Science Center with an anticipated graduation of May 2025.