admits at shift change

[hds51403]

There is a problem that goes on at the facility where I work and I am certain it happens everywhere else too. I just wanted to get some opinions and find out how other facilities handle this situation. Say you are working until 3P or 7P. You find out you are going to get an admit which is totally fine. Well the admit doesn't come up to your floor until either 2:30p or 6:30p you know 30 to 45 minutes before shift change. Do you get the pt situated in the room, get the vitals, assess the breathing and pain status orient pt to room, get the standard things like a plastic cup with ice water, tissues, basin etc. and once the pt is situated in the room pass it on in report that the initial assessment and admit paperwork needs to be done. I am a new nurse so I am still figuring out how they do things at different places. Anyway, the manager for this facility told me that yes we get the pt situated in the room and oriented to the room get the vital signs and then we pass them on to next shift who will do the admit assessment and all of the admit paperwork.

Any opinions or methods at other facilities anyone would like to share with me?

I appreciate all time and effort people make forming responses to all of the questions on here.

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I make sure vitals and orienting them to the room/bathroom/commode/call bell/TV is done. Get them water if they aren't NPO. Medicate for pain if necessary, start the IV, get oxygen running if ordered. Do a quickie eyeball assessment. If they appear stable, write a super quick note and "tag, your it." to the next shift to do the admitting paperwork and full assessment and get all the orders put in. If they aren't stable, then I obviously do more to get them stable.

[meluhn]

2:30 is the cut off time at my hosp (we do 8s). Like you said we just get them settled in, maybe have them sign the paperwork and do vs.

[Bklyn_RN]

Its the same where I worked. I believe its standard everywhere else.

[Ahhphoey]

I also just get the patient settled, comfortable, and oriented to the room and unit norms. Make sure they are safe and are medicated as necessary and pass them on to the next shift to do the full admission. I will look the patient over to make sure no immediate needs are present (i.e. leaking IV site, empty IV fluids, incontinent episode). Honestly, though, there is always going to be some nurse that is upset about all the paperwork they must do for the admission, but hey, that's why nursing is 24 hours.

[*ac*]

We have no cutoff time - an admit could come DURING report! But we stay to do the whole thing. It doesn't really take that long, and there's no way I want that dumped on me when I start my shift, so I don't do it to the oncoming shift. Also, I work mostly days, and nights are often even shorter staffed than we are, so I really try to leave as little as I possibly can for them.

BTW, I used to really hate these late admits, but now that I'm faster, it's not such a big deal. And there are actually so many bigger things to be aggravated about, that this issue has lost it's bite.

[NewRN12109]

Our cutoff is 2:00, 10:00 and 6:00. Not too much over flow from night shift onto dayshift. some overflow onto evening from dayshift and some from evening to night. If I'm caught up with other patients. I will do as much as possible for the admission including paperwork. The little stuff flu, pneumonia shot, living will, take orders off, pain, eyeball assessment, water, room, pain, potty, position. If I'm not caught up. I put them in the bed take vitals, orient to room, pain assessment water and position then pass it on. It works great for our institution. I don't believe the 12 hour girls not sure how they work it to be honest.

[llltapp]

I work in the ER so we get admits before, during, and right after shift change.... people are so rude ! LOL

[hds51403]

Thank you for your information. That is what I was taught to do in school. I feel like I am a new nurse and they are trying to take advantage of me or "bully" me into doing things that I am supposed to just pass on because they don't want to do the work. Anyway, I do just like you said get them oriented, comfortable (pain, warmth etc.), do neuro checks and vital signs, something to eat or drink depending on their diet and do a short narrative in the progress notes then pass it on. Thank you guys for taking the time to give a new nurse needed information that you don't learn in school. I love being able to come here and always be able to get reliable information and different points of view!!!!