Communication between RN's and MD's

[steelersRN]

Could you all share with me the way you all communicate to one another ie do you all have direct access to MD's via pagers, cell phones, text pagers etc....

Thanks

[leslie :-D]

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

[SouthernBelleinsocal]

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.

[RNperdiem, RN]

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.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I'm an advanced practice nurse and I have my physician's pagers and cell phones. When I am on call, I provide my pager and cell phone to all the hospital switchboards.