An update to "Just following the Doctors orders"?

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

This patient developed a nasty post-op wound infection. The incision line became very reddened and swollen. The surgeon opened it back up and wrote in the notes that the drainage was copius and purulent. Some heads were rolling over why his wound has not been taken care of as ordered with H202 and neosporin. There was a list with all the names of the nurses who had cared for him over the course of those 12 days. My name was not on the list. The super told me it was because I was the only one who had documented that I had followed the doctors orders. I have written up a proposal that all dressing changes be dated and timed. Thank's for all your wonderful suggestions and support.

[RNPATL, DNP, RN]

This patient developed a nasty post-op wound infection. The incision line became very reddened and swollen. The surgeon opened it back up and wrote in the notes that the drainage was copius and purulent. Some heads were rolling over why his wound has not been taken care of as ordered with H202 and neosporin. There was a list with all the names of the nurses who had cared for him over the course of those 12 days. My name was not on the list. The super told me it was because I was the only one who had documented that I had followed the doctors orders. I have written up a proposal that all dressing changes be dated and timed. Thank's for all your wonderful suggestions and support.

Thank you for the update. I wish nurses would take the time to do treatments. It is so sad that nurses are so busy that a treatment becomes less of a priority than their medictions. But when hospitals are running nurses with 6 and 7 patients .... it is hard to do the job thoroughly. Isn't this what nurses are complaining about? As said before though ... in the end, the only one that really suffers is the poor patient! Very unfiar for all involved. Very!