Apologizing when paging physicians

Published

Just something that bugs me and I have to let it out.

I've noticed that some RNs at work apologize to doctors EVERY TIME they receive a call back from a page.

"Sorry to bother you, Dr.____... but your patient..."

"Sorry to call you, I just need to ask you about...."

Now, I HAVE said something along those lines when I've had to page someone 2-3 times in a short period of time, or if it's the middle of the night when I worked night shift.

But... to apologize every time you need to page the MD seems a little ridiculous to me. We should not have to feel sorry because we are taking care of our patients appopriately and need a physician's order for something. :no:

Anyone feel the same way?

Specializes in Peds Critical Care, Dialysis, General.

Our school taught us not to apologize for calling an MD regarding our concerns about his/her patient. That being said, in the wee small hours of the morning, if we must contact an attending (work in Peds ICU, some of our kiddos have Trauma or Neurosurg as attendings), some may apologize as a courtesy thing, but most of us don't. I work in a teaching hospital, so the on call attending does expect calls. We are supported by our attending MDs, so if any unpleasantness occurs, we know our attendings will back us up.

Human nature being what it is, there are some docs who don't get the I'm sorry after being discourteous to the nursing staff. We've had 2 residents in particular who didn't merit "I'm sorry" after behaving badly. The nursing staff took care of one situation and our attendings took really good care of the second incident.

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Thanks llg, you said it well.

I think some people are confused. Common courtesy doesn not equal groveling. I also sense a lot of resentments against physicians on this thread. Frankly, from my standpoint it all sounds rather high school.

Specializes in DOU.

I'd feel bad about having to call ANYONE in the middle of night, and would start by saying "I'm sorry I had to wake you, but.." Why would I NOT extend this courtesy to a physician?

Specializes in General Medicine.

No, unless I page them second time for smth I could have asked the first time they answered...

Specializes in Operating Room.

Yes, this annoys me also. Keeping the MDs informed as to changes in patient condition is our job. Our job is not a typical 9 to 5 gig and neither is theirs. They knew this before they decided to become physicians and I won't apologize or take verbal crap from someone because I am trying to do my job.:no:

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

I think it's a matter of balance. Calling a cardiologist in the middle of the night for some Mylanta, yeah, I'd say "sorry to have to call you for this, but...". Calling said cardiologist because their patient is having increased ectopy or unresolved chest pain, no, I don't think an apology is warranted. Personally, I think we should have standing orders for Mylanta, just as we have a bowel care protocol. But that's another subject.

Specializes in LTC, geriatric, psych, rehab.

The medical director for my nursing home called me at work yesterday to tell me how much she appreciated my midnite nurse who called her. He hadn't wasted any time by saying he was sorry. He just gave her the facts of the situation. I can understand. I am the director of nursing, and often get calls during the nite. I don't want them to apologize to me. I never complain when they call, but I do want them to just get to the point.

Lisa

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