Best way to give report

[Calinurse4]

I'm two months in as a new grad on an L&D floor. When we give shift change report or I report off to a mother/baby nurse, we do it in front of a computer and I can kind of just go down the screen and give the info. Last night I was learning to circulate and it was an urgent c/s, so it was moving fast anyway which wasn't the best way to learn but it was what it was. I was told to give report to the NICU nurses really quick and off the top of my head and I sort of froze. I have never had to do that and wasn't really sure what was pertinent info to give them at that time. We also had a nurse come in to relieve us and it was the same way; no computer right in front of me and I just stumbled like an idiot I am in awe of the nurses that seem to know everything off the top of their head but I am nowhere near that. Anyone have any tips for me or what I should focus on when giving report to NICU staff in a situation like that? Giving report doesn't seem like it should be that difficult but I seem to struggle with what's important at the time. Thanks!!

[FLAlleycat]

Hi,

You may get some really detailed responses to this but don't worry that you "forgot" something. As the RN coming on in such a situation, if you haven't told me what I really need to know, I'll ask. I would want to know why a NICU nurse and not a labor or regular nursery nurse needs to be there unless baby is out and the reason is obvious. If baby's out, APGAR, birth time and any resuscitation measures needed or in place. If the report is on the mom, all I need to know is any current medical issues, blood type, ordered meds, any monitoring concerns. Again, if I really need to know and you haven't mentioned it, I'll ask. Report does go two ways. Hope you enjoy L&D as much as I!

Alley

[Calinurse4]

Thank you! I'm sorry, I should have said nursery nurse, not NICU (although they are really both at my hospital, we don't have a "well baby" nursery). They are at every c/s delivery, even if there are no issues with mom or baby. It's just protocol at our hospital. I guess I should have clarified I need to know what to say to them specifically; I'm used to just reporting off on mom or baby after the birth. I assume they need to know gestational age? Any medical issues with mom? Medications? When told to tell them a "quick" report I just blanked

[cassie77775]

I'd want gestational age, apgars, any resuscitation measures, blood type, and of moms medical history-drug user. Gestational diabetes, diabetes, hypertension, any thing pertinent that increases baby risk for issues transitioning or that will need to be reported to the ped(sickle cell disease, etc).

[Calinurse4]

I would be giving report before the birth so I will focus on the above minus apgars and resuscitation. Thanks!

[Best_Name_Ever]

NICU attends all c/s in my hospital. Our NICU usually wants to know gestational age, how long moms been ruptured, blood type, GBS status (if positive, how many doses of abx did she receive), any abnormal prenatal labs (HIV/hep/drugs), last dose of pain med, significant mom hx like PP said that might affect baby like gest. diabetes, etc.

[Best_Name_Ever]

I kinda mixed in things from both NVD and C/S, but I hope that helps a little.

[Calinurse4]

Thank you!! :)

[Janinern84]

I know there was no computer screen, but there was a time with no computers

Write it down on a little piece of paper, your big points, g/p, age, medical hx, pregnancy hx, if there is a father, any social issues things like that.

[Calinurse4]

I do use paper that I write down my info on. I just wanted to know what the nursery nurses needed to know specifically. When we are in an emergency situation and I'm trying to relay the most pertinent information, I just wanted to know what was most important for them to know.