Communication between RN's and MD's

i personally have obtained their cell #'s even if the protocol is to page them.

but it has taken time and trust before they handed their # over.

leslie

I work nights, and the majority of our MDs are reachable through their answering service. So, whoever is on call for the night for that particular medical group returns your call. A few of them have their personal cell phones readily available to the RNs, and I've obtained a few myself through mutual trust that it wouldn't be abused.

Many concerns can be brought up when the doctors round at the beginning of the shift. I get restraint forms signed, confirm that they saw abnormal labs etc. If a problem comes up during the shift, I text page the resident on call, or find the ICU doc hanging around the unit who handles critical care issues.

Teaching hospitals are great when you need a doctor. I don't miss having to call a doctor at home or going through answering services. Working on days I do not deal with the residents cross-covering the patients from other surgical departments.

Waiting by the phone for a doc to call back can feel like an eternity sometimes.