Giving Report to a CNA

grinsngripe · Dec 1, 2007

they need to know if the patient requires additional assitance, i( 1 person or 2) a hoyer?

their diet staus, any cultures needed, if they have anything contangious requires PPE, remember your aide does hands on care, they need to report any change in status to you, LOC, skin bruising...Bm's.

need to know if they have appts, with dr's or Pt..

why not ASK your aides what hey need to know, and if they have any questions ?

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2007

Activity (up ad lib, bedrest), how much assistance is needed (stand-by, lift), how the person voids/has bowel movements (foley, bedside commode, bathroom, incontinent), precautions (falls risk, contact isolation, fluid restrictions, confused, swallowing precautions), are they on I&O, what their diet order is, are they on O2 and how much, any specific changes in condition you want them to report to you.

MQ Edna · Dec 2, 2007

As a direct care staff who does pretty much everything a CNA does execpt for handing out medications....

I have to report BM's, any incidents even if their was only a potential for injury... I have to keep repositioning logs up to date, write active treatment notes, whether or not they ate something outside of their diet, whether or not they've been acting "differently" or have been looking ill.

As a direct care I really appreciate it when nurses give me as much information as possible within reason that helps me take better care of the individual. If they are NPO I want to know so I don't give in and give them something to drink in the middle of the night without knowing they were on NPO (this has happened before and I was the one that got in trouble for it from the nurse who neglected to tell me about the order, it wasn't a regular thing and it was just for a blood-test so they were able to schedule it for the next day but that really got under my skin... ironically that same nurse is no longer working at my facility because she wasn't giving medications to the clients...but i digress)

I like to know if there are any samples that I need to collect during the night (urine, ect.). I like to know if they are on any new medications that may cause symptoms that might alarm me into thinking something is wrong (don't have to go into detail as to what the medications are... just warn me if they are going to be psychosomatic because of it).

I like to know if there is anything in particular I should watch out for in behavior or symptom....

AND THE BIGGEST ONE:

PLEASE TELL YOUR CNA'S WHEN THE PT. HAS RECEIVED AN ENEMA!!!

Nothing makes for a worse night than an unexpected case of the runs from the pt... especially if your rushing them down the hallway in a shower chair hoping to God someone helps you clean up the mess.

Also, if I work during the day... it's helpful when the nurses tell me what the clients are and aren't allowed to do physically. I like to keep my guys active as much as possible.

Recently I've been working in an office as desk work and patrol, but when ever I do overtime I usually have to go back to the "front lines"... I hate sedentary work and though I can't say I really regret moving up to the central office, I do miss my old cottage something awful. (I work with the developmentally disabled).

anonymurse · Dec 2, 2007

First thing I do after getting report is write out a task sheet for my CNA (I make myself a copy) so she has a decent shot at planning her shift. FSBS and frequency, orthos, Q4s/2s, weights, activity/restraints, inconts/foleys, fluid restrictions, NPOs, isolations, turning, fall history, confusion, items to report (per pt), etc. I make sure the sheet is in the CNA's hands before she starts her first rounds.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Dec 4, 2007

get their job description and use that as a guide. Remember also they are an extra set of ears and eyes for you so prepare them and treat them well

bethin · Dec 4, 2007

1) diet, especially if NPO or fluid restriction. I ask nurses if their pt is fl. restriction when or if they get po meds. That way if they want fluids I can plan on how much to give them. Helps even it out.

2) if they're scheduled for surgery

3) activity, how many assist to get up?

4) vital signs - q4, q8, etc.

5) if they are on I&O

6) UA, hemetest, gastrocult ordered

7) BS, daily weights

8) code status - biggie for me. Ever since I saw a new nurse running around looking for a status on a pt, I check this first.

High or low BS, BP, bloody stool or urine, colostomy, nephrostomy, history of CVA. Also if an IV or foley is scheduled to come out and if a BP can't be taken in right or left arm d/t stroke or cancer. Need to know if pt is allergic to shellfish, latex or anything else that a CNA would be able to give a pt or touch them with. I like to know about their care outside of the hospital if it's pertinent. If family members or visitors are on the brink of being escorted out by security, I'd like to know.

I think that's it although I'm sure I'm missing something important. I'd rather have too much info than not enough.