Vital Signs Taking at ER

Specialties Emergency

Published

The patient was wheeled in ER via stretcher. Normally we get the data of the patient and her vital signs. After obtaining data, our resident doctor did his history taking. While doing it in the bedside of the patient, I told him the BP of his patient was 200/100. While transferring the data of the patient in an admitting chart, a relative went to me and asked for the BP of the patient. I told her in my usual voice that the patients BP is 200/100. She began to complain I'm a bit vulgar in saying the patients vital signs. She told me it may cause stress to her patient and cause elevated BP. So I told her ok, kowing inside me next time we will not divulge it in front of the patient. However, she get my name and have it written in a piece of paper. Unfortunately, one of my colleagues did not know the precaution that relative gave regarding the BP. Upon rechecking he told our resident doctor the lateat BP which was 190/110 which make the relative angrier. She told us is that the way we do it in ER? What if our Bp is high and hearing it doesn't it make it more elevated.. I told her that's the way we do it and communicate with the resident doctors in er and the nurse who rechecked it didn't know her precaution. After awhile, a co staff in the hospital told me, the relative told her If I was her daughter she would spank me. Is that how the nurses are in our hospital and we don't have etiquette. At the same time, she also told my co- ER staff that they will make certain actions regarding what I did in ER. She also told my colleague that I didn't apologize and answered back to her.I'm quite nervous of the possible things that may happen. Our chief nurse knows that relative for her manners. During previous hospitalization, our chief nurse started intravenous infusion to the granddaughter of the said relative. Since being a grandmother who doesn't want her relative getting hurt , she demands for the sharp shooter. One of the er nurse told her that our chief nurse is the sharp shooter in our hospital. She said to our chief nurse "so what if you're the chief nurse?"What do you think of my situation? My friends and I can't help but be sad because we were just doing our job. If certain precautions were told from the moment they brought in that patient, we will do it the way they want. But apparently, the relative just informed me after the second time I told the BP of her patient. :(

Specializes in Med/Surg,Cardiac.

I wouldn't sweat it. You were doing your job. Would the family member prefer you not mention it and just let it go untreated? Some people are looking for a reason to complain.

~ No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent -Eleanor Roosevelt ~

I wouldn't sweat it. You were doing your job. Would the family member prefer you not mention it and just let it go untreated? Some people are looking for a reason to complain.

~ No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent -Eleanor Roosevelt ~

Yes it's true. It makes them feel "powerful". A power they don't have no where else, especially at their little customer clerk job!

To me your job was done. That customer is always right thing needs to stop! Slap ME? LOL! I can't believe he actually repeated that to you. Himself when the relative said that didn't say ANYTHING!? He just let her say that?! I'd slap him!

thanks guys.. i feel enlightened from your comments.. i talked to our chief nurse this morning.. and she said that i shouldn't mind what that relative have said.. she just admit.her relatives.in our.hospital for treatment and just to find something to complain about. with your comments as well, i feel i can really feel i can defend my actions to that woman. i just thought if we nvr communicated the bp of pt to our resident doctor we will not be able to givw het patient proper treatment at once.

another question..based from ur experience, does stress really make your bp that high?

A lot of people have 'white coat' syndrome. Which is why cycled bp readings are a better indicator of bp. Stress, pain, anxiety can make em rise.

Specializes in Psychiatry.

To tell you the truth, I didn't understand the point of this whole rambling post.

to make it short, its about a relative who was complaining why i said the bp of the patient to my colleagues esp. our resident doctor louD as well as when she asked me what is the bp. she didnt inform hat she doesn't want the patient to hear the vital signs for it may cause stress to the patient. that is a big deal for her and threatened that she will file a formal complaint to my superiors.

It wasn't your fault. Just take a deep breath.

Specializes in OB, ER.

Some people are just complainers and nothing you can do will make them happy. The good news is they do this every visit so even if they complain the higher ups will see it for what it is. A grumpy person that likes to complain. Don't worry about it!

Update: she already sent an email of her complaints to our chief nurse.. But our chief hasn't talked to me yet.. I hope she'll understand my actions the way you guys do..

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

That will depend entirely on what is usual for your place of work In the US we do things very differently and there are certain rights of the patient and information and who has a right to that information. Just because someone is family doesn't give them "rights" to information or decision making.

I wish you the best.

in the letter she stressed out that i committed breach on ptients confidentiality.. i dont know what she was really trying to point out.. whether the patiemt is hearing her Bp or other people in the er have also heard.it. she also told i was arrogant. well for me, during.that situation, the best thing to was just to ignore her and not say anything because it may juat aggraviate or worsen her issue.

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