Mobile/Cell Phones at the bedside??

cardiacfreak, ADN · Oct 16, 2013

I hate and repeat hate to see a nurse at the nurses station texting when everyone else is running their butts off, or on their phone if call lights are ringing. That doesn't fly with me and I call them on it every time.

tmartin83 · Oct 17, 2013

We actually carry workplace iPhones and we are able to call/text interpersonal staff (CNAs, RT, SW, etc.) when we need them, and it's so convenient when you're tied up in a pt room and don't wanna walk around the unit to find help. The system is called Volate. Has all of the standard features a typical iPhone has as well (calculator, medical apps). I guess this is the hospital's method of preventing us from carrying our own cell phones???

Kitesurfing bum · Oct 21, 2013

I use my phone all night long. Calcs, meds, texting people on call/charge/friends, music. Just don't be the loser who is playing games and not helping your team.

Oh and we do have a policy.... Not sure of the details, but the only thing I remember is that is forbids "texting and walking". Pretty hilarious

edgyrn · Oct 25, 2013

We have a policy that we are not supposed to have cell phones or use them. That being said, I recently returned to work after having a baby and I keep my cell phone on vibrate in my pocket incase there is an emergency that my child care provider needs me for. Before I had kids I only used it for the calculator or any medical reference. If I answer it or text I don't do this infront of the patient or their family.

Etone LPN · Dec 15, 2013

Our facility has a "Limited Use" cell phone policy. I have never seen it in print, but staff have been warned that use of cells or tablets in pt care areas will be reprimanded. We can use them during breaks or in non-patient care areas. I do understand, and totally agree with this policy, as staff using personal electronic devices, may be viewed by patients and their families as, "Why am I here in pain and that nurse is over there is on their phone doing nothing about it"? ... "What are we waiting for"? ...

You may be calculating a medication dose on your phone or using it for medical information, but as far as your patients or their family may know, it may be perceived by them that you are over there on Facebook, playing games, or some other (non-work related) app that you may have.

On the other hand, I've had patients that are staring at, and texting on their phones as I am attempting to give them their discharge instructions with no acknowledgement even to my being there. This can steal moments that I can use for those that are critical and need my attention. In these cases, and with a smile, just say ... "Sorry I've interrupted, just let me know when your are ready for your discharge". Surprising how quick the cell usage ends and they are good to go.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Dec 15, 2013

Our policy states that phones shouldn't be visible in patient care areas. The only time our manager calls anyone on it is if they're obviously playing on their phone rather than working. (Usually the CNAs can find a corner to hide in and you'll find several cell phones on chargers. That's where you go to find a CNA if you need one.) Nursing staff use cell phones to text the providers, to look up medication interactions and doses, to check their schedules, etc. I was one of the longest hold-outs, insisting that cell phones had no place in the ICU, but I've bowed to the inevitable.

I've noticed a couple of people on this thread using their own photo for an avatar. I'm not so silly as to think the internet is anonymous, but please don't make it so easy for people to identify you. One day you'll make a post that is unpopular or controversial, you'll vent about your boss or your colleagues, or you'll divulge a tidbit of information you'll wish you hadn't. Don't make it possible for your work to identify you beyond the shadow of a doubt just by printing out the offending post with your very own picture attached.

TraumaSurfer · Dec 15, 2013

We use the hospital issued smart phone which has a few apps for calculations and medical reference.

The advantages of a hospital issued smart phone:

You don't get your own phone into nasty messes and then take home. Handling your personal cellphone in a patient's room and then putting it in your pocket is just gross. Wiping your own personal cellphone with the harsh chemicals is great if you have the money to replace it every few weeks. The porous protective covers are a bug magnet.

You don't have give your number out to everyone and anyone. If a doctor is using an on call phone, anyone who has that phone will have your personal phone. If you call a co-worker with your own cell phone, even a work cell will capture your number.

Most personal smart phones have a back up system which can be by your phone company and/or an email account like Google and automatically backs up what ever photo you might have taken to show a patient or co-worker and then believed you have deleted. Now the photo is stored on the internet and if you have "sharing" with friends, it is now seen by "friends" on the internet. If you have also clicked "share with all" that photo is everywhere with your IP/name/email/number or whatever identifier attached. Photos can also be recovered from your device even if you believe they were deleted. Think about that when you trade in or toss out your old phone.

If you need to be contacted "for an emergency" give whoever the nurse staffing office's number. To some everything is an "emergency" and that is their excuse for being on the phone during their entire patient contact time.

It has only taken a few fools to show why personal cellphones are a bad idea but yet others have followed their lead.