Anyone fax report?

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Nov 7, 2004

Do you have to hand write all the faxes or are they computerized?

I work in a different arena all together and faxes is the way we communicate...I have to hand write all my faxes and send out min 20 a day! WHew..takes a lot of time, and heaven forbid you forget something and get a angry fax back! Sometimes a phone call is best..at least that way if you forgot to say something..someone may ask right then and there and remind you!

But all and all I like faxes really...but if it was a computerized q/a type of deal it would be so much better!!!!!

If I knew nursing was so much writing, I would have taken my chances as an author! LOL!!!!!!!

acuteobrn · Nov 7, 2004

I think I know someone who works at your sister hospital on the floor and hates it. Main gripe is the fact that sometimes by the time that she actually gets to the fax the patient is already in their bed ready to be assessed. It has caused alot of tension between the floors and ER. I am sure that because it is new, and anything new takes time to get the kinks out and some getting used to, that some nurses are having a hard time dealing with it. Also some things (critical info) are getting missed and result in a phone call back the ED and phone tag inevitably ensues. She tells me it is more time consuming than the old fashioned phone call. I guess the plus side for ED is that they don't have to wait to speak w/ the nurse. Otherwise I don't really see the benefit in it. Gotta wonder about continuety of care?

CritterLover, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2004

We tube report under a special code that causes the tube system to beep until the code is cleared and the tube removed. This was started because the ER nurses had such a hard time getting the floor nurse on the phone to give report. I thought there would be a lot of complaints, but the few times the tube system has been down and I've had to call report, the receiving unit actually seems to be a bit irritated, "What, you can't tube the report?" I guess on their end it eliminates long reports over the phone while the ER nurse is looking through the chart to find VS/labs/etc. It takes them a lot less time to read over the form than listen to report, and they can do it at their convenience. We still call report in ICU, though.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Nov 7, 2004

I recently started at a hospital that faxes instead of phoning. We fax and then call the secretary to give the floor a heads up that something is on the fax. We are supposed to bring up the pt 15 min later, but that seems tight to me so if I am doing OK downstairs I just tell them I will call before I come and then finish my paperwork. I have noticed the floors getting a little cranky and rushed if they don't have decent warning, but not that they complain about missing items on the report sheet.

Loribabble · Nov 7, 2004

We get faxed report from the ER - it works well ONLY if the person writing the report writes what is really happening and is thorough. We are a small obs unit and cannot take full spine pts and most of the RN's in ER just check the "spine orders" box - which means we have to call down and waste both of our time just to get it clarified.... or they say the person is here for LUE cellulitis or something else appropirate for our unit but do not mention that they are a para, peg-tube, incon't, no IV access and have been seizing in the ER (which is definately not appropriate for our unit)- UUUUGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

I don't think that it is necessarily the fault of the RN writing.... (except for a couple) - but a system breakdown. Our ER is extremely unorganized... everyone is taking care of all the pts... so many times the person writing the report has not even seen the pt and just writes report according to the orders and what they have been told about why the pt is being admitted. :angryfire :angryfire :uhoh3: :uhoh3:

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Nov 7, 2004

Our ER faxes their report to the floor (mine included). The positive...when I see the fax, I know the pt is on the way to us. The negative...the fax info is extremely skimpy and sometimes, the pt beats the fax in getting to the floor (Arghhh).

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2004

From a floor perspective we hated it at first and resisted it. Now sometimes when the ER calls and wants to give report we holler "I'm busy tell them to fax it!" and we like it.

Just make sure the form you come up with is inclusive and the nurses know to put pertinent information on it.

The idea in my facility was to cut down on the time it takes a patient to get to the floor. During season and busy times, the ER is to fax report, call the floor to assure they got the fax, and they can bring the patient up quicker. In our facility floors are not to obstruct ER transfers for any reason.

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Nov 7, 2004

We use faxed reports, too.

Usually if I'm getting a patient, I'll see the fax and then go into the computer and pull up the patient's tests and labs before they arrive to the floor so I know what I'm dealing with.

Even though abnormals are listed on the fax, this way I can see that a CT head was or was not done, or a CT angio, for instance. I can then plan the time it takes to follow through with any potential problems.

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2004

Hi

We do either. Nine out of ten adm.they fax. The fax is a bit skimpy; I prefer verbal,myself. Sometimes they forget it; it gets lost or what ever. Some call to ask if we got the report.

RNin92 · Nov 7, 2004

Lots of great info!

Thanks for responding.

I am hoping that if we work TOGETHER with the floors we can get it right. We are trying this to expedite admission to the floor. Sometimes our process is a tad slow!!!!!

:crying2:

mattsmom81 · Nov 7, 2004

Personally, I want the opportunity to ask a few pertinent questions..but I'm a control freak ICU nurse too.