Do you interrupt report to give pain meds?

[nervousnurse]

Just to clarify, I'm not talking about a fresh post-op patient who needs IV Morphine like clockwork or something that *acute* where you would not make them wait., we give a lot of PO mainly......and LOTS and LOTS of Oxy IR, which SO many of our patients want the MINUTE they can have it again!

If we're in report, MOST of my coworkers will tell whoever answered the light "the nurses are in report, but I let him/her know you needed pain meds". For me, altho I HATE having report interrupted (and who doesn't? )

I feel that pain is a PRIORITY, and I'll stop report to go give it.

On the other hand, interruptions lead to forgetting something, and also, once you go to give that pain med "really quickly"..maybe two other patients see you and yell out for something. Happens to me all. the. time. If there's none of the oncoming staff available and it's not urgent, of course I tell them "use your call light and someone will be with you."

But...again with the PAIN issue, I just don't think a patient should have to wait 10, 15, 20 minutes longer just because we're in report...not fair to them. What do you think?

[caliotter3]

Oh, well , excuse me...addiction, dependency problem,..either one is not a nurse's decision.

And who said it was? After all, daily demands are not indicative of anything, should not be reported to anyone, and heavens that this behavior be assessed by a nurse and referred to a doctor.

[nurse.sandi]

And who said it was? After all, daily demands are not indicative of anything, should not be reported to anyone, and heavens that this behavior be assessed by a nurse and referred to a doctor. Who made you the expert?

I corrected my statement. In my opinion it is not up to a nurse to say someone is dependent or addicted. I mentioned the word addicted. Go figure. I guess just to start a debate. Sorry I offended anyone. Have a nice nite.

[punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN]

Our hospital implemented bedside change of shift report to include patient, and family. It was so uncomfortable and we never could get out on time. Also, did not get paid for ot.

Yah, we just started this, May 2. tonight will be my first night on under the new rule - we're supposed to be in and out, and still clock out on time. Hmpf. When you have 7 nurses leaving, and 6 coming on, and you have to be in each room individually - can't happen. But whatever.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I guess I'm just a naive new nurse, but I thought this was standard - common sense, and how everyone did it. This was something my preceptor hounded into me - towards the end of every shift "check pain, check pain, check pain!"

READ post #7

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

We always have a changeover of staff b4 report begins, so this isn't an issue. If it's a small hospital, you have to use your judgement I suppose.

Sweetie, if patients have been on Oxy or whatever, waiting 15 minutes or so won't kill them! I would only give painkillers right away with excruciating, urgent pain.

[BluegrassRN]

Yah, we just started this, May 2. tonight will be my first night on under the new rule - we're supposed to be in and out, and still clock out on time. Hmpf. When you have 7 nurses leaving, and 6 coming on, and you have to be in each room individually - can't happen. But whatever.

We just started it about a month ago. Patients really like it, and most staff likes it, too. It has actually shortened report time for me...I don't care what the pt's diet is, how old they are, all that repetitive info that some nurses like to give but I can get out of the chart faster than they can say it. I just need to know what happened that shift, and any major issues. I also have already eyeballed my pts and let them know to call if they need anything, so I don't feel so rushed in that first hour to get in to see everyone.

As to the original subject, no, I do not interrupt report to give pain medication. If I interrupted report every time the call light went off for some request, it would be a very long and fragmented report, which is *not* safe. Since we give bedside report, if the pt calls before I go into their room for report, I'll take it at that time. If the pt calls after I've gotten report....well, if they weren't in pain 3 minutes ago when I was in the room and asked if they needed anything (and I always specifically ask if they are doing ok on pain), it's not that urgent and can wait another 10 minutes.