As charge on a Med-Surg floor, I'm usually the one doing the calling. The nurses like that the responsibility is off them and it frees them to do something else, but then I can know if there's anything else that needs to be addressed at the same time. I can imagine the MD does get frustruated getting 3 calls, 5 minutes apart, on 3 different pts instead of one call with ALL the complaints. Most of the time it works, but if not----oh well, I'm already dialing! lol
I did have a butthole surgeon to deal with one early morning---post-op, wooky vitals, did not look so good at all. All I wanted were some simple lab tests, antibiotics, and a promise that the MD would see him ASAP on morning rounds. Got those orders an hour later...lo and behold, white count's sky high. It's a critical value, so I gotta call it to report. Dr. Congeniality asked why I called and I told him to report the lab. Before I could finish speaking, he clearly said, "Do not call me for anything for him tonight!" Gotcha Doc---noted that I reported critical lab value. Telephone order written exactly as he gave it---'Do not call me again about this patient tonight'./ telephone order verified/ TX RN Shannon.
Comes in all blustery and ***** the next morning, but became livid when he saw the order I wrote. At the nurses' station during shift change, with many other practitioners around, and hallways filled with ancillary staff and visitors, he stood up til he was facing me and BELLOWED "why in the h*ll did you write that sh*t on my chart?" I had already notified my nurse manager so she was on the unit and aware. He's getting keyed up, trying to get nurses and doctors to support him (but many know of his antics), going on and on...and I HAD IT! I got in his face, finger pointed, and said, "Look, Dr. Grumpy---do you think I actually enjoy waking you up and wondering what kind of mood you'll be in? Do you think I enjoy getting hollered at or called an incompetent dumb*** when I am busting my butt to make sure your patients are being taking care of in an excellent way? I do not call you with trivial matters at 3 am; if I call you, its YOUR patient and its important! Do you think I really want to end my shift with you b*tching me out in front of all the other nurses, doctors, and families around the desk? No! I do what I am supposed to do and I do a damn good job at it. I do not think there is ANYTHING I could do to please you at all! Uugghhh!!!!"
It was deathly quite, until I hear some claps coming from my coworkers, some ancillary staff that had been at the nurses's station, and even support and applause from FELLOW MD'S!!!
Sep 7, '12 by TX.RN.ShannonAs charge on a Med-Surg floor, I'm usually the one doing the calling. The nurses like that the responsibility is off them and it frees them to do something else, but then I can know if there's anything else that needs to be addressed at the same time. I can imagine the MD does get frustruated getting 3 calls, 5 minutes apart, on 3 different pts instead of one call with ALL the complaints. Most of the time it works, but if not----oh well, I'm already dialing! lol
Sep 12, '12 by jennilynnTonight was a horrible night on my floor. At least each of us had to page the hospitalist a minimum of twice. One of my patients had a fall and later in the shift needed a restraint order. Anyways, she calls back and proceeds to rip into me about the amount that we've called her tonight.