When should a nurse accompany?

CCURN · Aug 31, 2003

A nurse should accompany any patient on tele or lifepaked, intubated, vasoactive gtts, heart rhythmn changes, such as v tach. Although difficult to do, it is probably a good idea for nurses to accompany all ER patients to the floor. Then if a complication does occur in route, there is less chance of litigation.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2003

As far as I am aware we have nurse escort for all ER patients to the floor. This is so "handover" can be given - I.e. what meds were given in ER, how the patient fared where the relatives are, what needs to be further monitored etc.

Certaily ALL CCU admits are escorted by nurse and sometimes by RMO was well - but we might be a little "spoiled".:)

Trauma Columnist · Aug 31, 2003

I work a level one trauma center and all tele patients and those going to a monitored (cardiac tele) patients get the trip with an RN. Going to cath lab too. All trauma patients. Of course all ICU patients and our hospital also dictates all patients currently receiving blood must have an RN with them.

newfloridaRN · Aug 31, 2003

Anytime the Nurse deems the patient unstable- even though she may not WANT to accompany the pt!! haha. We let the Paramedics go with patients too (anyone who is ACLS certified) to help out. Any pts going to anything above a med surge level floor (med tele, PCU, ICU) Need an RN/medic.

jax · Aug 31, 2003

This is one of my pet peeves - the unescorted patient. I work ortho and I think all our spinal patients, especially those on an edgerton bed require escort. What happens when someone starts vomiting lying flat on their back with an unstable spinal # and only a wardsman present pushing the bed? ?

AndyLyn · Aug 31, 2003

I work in a small hospital, but all our patients coming to the floor are transferred from the ED by an RN. Thought everyone probably did it this way...

2ndCareerRN · Aug 31, 2003

Like most, any pt on a monitor or going to a critical care floor gets an RN for transport. Others floors (med surg) may get a LPN or Tech (EMT) to transport pt to.

As in all things in life, just use some common sense.

I doubt you can write a policy outlining every situation.

Just cover the critical pts, monitored pts, and add a section saying something to the effect when pt's condition requires RN to accompany as determined by nursing staff.

bob

ernurse728, LPN · Sep 3, 2003

If the patient is being admitted to a monitored bed than the nurse must accompany the patient. We do not go to an unmonitored floor with the patient unless they are receiving a blood product.

neneRN, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2003

We have to escort all ICU pts, all pts going to cardiac floors, and any pt that has cardiac monitoring ordered while in the ER or going to a monitored bed.

TampaCCRN · Sep 3, 2003

Not that I agree with our policy, but ...

medical beds-EMT

tele, off for tests-EMT

Tele, not off for test-paramedic

ICU, CCU, TRAUMA-paramedics

Rarely does the RN ever have to leave his or her other patients. However, our paramedics are highly trained and we have different level paramedics ie I, II, and III

SnowieRN · Sep 3, 2003

Your policy is still better than some. Atleast with an EMT/P there, if something starts to happen theres atleast SOME amount of knowledge there that can keep them alive. An EMT/P with the pt is much better than just a transport guy that couldn't even do CPR.