Oh, my patience was tried to the upmost last night at work. Why? The dietary department, again. I don't know who they think they are, but I am tired of having to argue for every little extra thing for a pt. Last night for example...have a young man who is in his 30's in with a DVT...good size man. Ate 100% of his supper and requested a second tray. No dietary restrictions. We call dietary and ask for a second tray. They call back and say they can't send one. Why? Because he had his allotment for the day. Hello, the man is on NO restrictions. After a 3 minute discussion with an asinine dietary clerk who kept telling me that he can't send up another tray because a dietitian hasn't okayed it I get ticked and say fine. I will just call the doctor and you can explain why you are refusing to give this man more food. So, we paged the doctor and told him the story. He said no problem and to give the guy a second tray.
Second scenario. Pt refused her tray at the beginning of the meal pass. We left it on the cart. After the meals were eaten the dirty trays were put back on the cart. Then the patient decides she wants her tray. Call dietary for another tray. Another line of BS. (Plus the pt is diabetic and has a BS of 60). Dietary says they can't send another tray. WTF? After arguing 5 minutes with them we did get them convinced to send a sandwich.
I don't if dietary thinks we are hoarding this food or what. Maybe they think we don't know our patients. It was a major power struggle all weekend with them. The CNA's on our floor never ask for anything for the patients without checking with the nurses first to make sure it is okay. Then the nurse usually calls down and requests the stuff. We aren't asking for filet mignon here folks. Simple stuff. Like a piece of pie. Or a bowl of soup. Just trying to make things easier for our patients if we can.
I feel better now. I just hate having to argue with people over stuff that doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the scheme of things. I have other battles that need to be fought.
I don't know who they think they are, but I am tired of having to argue for every little extra thing for a pt. Last night for example...have a young man who is in his 30's in with a DVT...good size man. Ate 100% of his supper and requested a second tray. No dietary restrictions. We call dietary and ask for a second tray. They call back and say they can't send one. Why? Because he had his allotment for the day. Hello, the man is on NO restrictions. After a 3 minute discussion with an asinine dietary clerk who kept telling me that he can't send up another tray because a dietitian hasn't okayed it I get ticked and say fine. I will just call the doctor and you can explain why you are refusing to give this man more food. So, we paged the doctor and told him the story. He said no problem and to give the guy a second tray. 