Custom badge buddy/reference suggestions

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2012

It's hard for other people to tell you what you need a reminder of. What information do you find yourself looking up often? Do find yourself asking the same questions? How about ABG ranges? Normal lab values? S/S of complications like PE, infection, infiltration, shock, fluid overload? Important phone numbers (the lab, ultrasound, IV team, patient transport, dietary, nurse manager, etc.)?

Murse901, MSN, RN · Jun 25, 2012

It's hard for other people to tell you what you need a reminder of. What information do you find yourself looking up often? Do find yourself asking the same questions? How about ABG ranges? Normal lab values? S/S of complications like PE, infection, infiltration, shock, fluid overload? Important phone numbers (the lab, ultrasound, IV team, patient transport, dietary, nurse manager, etc.)?

Well, the stuff I mentioned is the only stuff I can think of off the top of my head that I need a quick reference for. Hence, the request for suggestions of what other people need to reference.

Thanks for the ideas, though. :)

amoLucia · Jun 25, 2012

I'm not sure I understand you --- you have a facility ID badge and you want to hang something more to jingle-jangle around your neck (do you wear your stethescope too)????

Why not just print out what you need and then shrink it on a xerox/copier. Laminate it and keep it in a pocket. I do know some nurses who put things on those little techno pocket thingys. (I apologize as I am computerily challenged - am I thinking PDA? I DO admire all you techno saavy folk out there!)

NBMom1225 · Jun 25, 2012

If you are new to the facility, take note of all the phone extensions: pharmacy, lab, radiology, nuclear med, the house officer, security, etc. Print it in a small font, laminate it and punch a hole in it so it's on the back of your badge...eventually you'll have most of the numbers memorized, but I still refer to mine when needed :)

sapphire18 · Jun 26, 2012

I like this idea! Can't come up with anything at the moment, but I'm definitely with you on the pedi VS ranges, and phone numbers.

Murse901, MSN, RN · Jun 26, 2012

I'm not sure I understand you --- you have a facility ID badge and you want to hang something more to jingle-jangle around your neck (do you wear your stethescope too)????

Yep, I actually do wear my stethoscope around my neck for fast access on the rare occasions where I may have to actually, ya know, assess a patient.

The reason that I would put it on with my badge is that it would be harder to accidentally leave at home, would be quickly available to me, and wouldn't have to be in my pocket. I really don't like stuff rustling around in my pockets.

It would be nice to put stuff like this on my phone, since I always have my phone. However, we can't have our phones visible at any time for any reason, even if it's job-related. It's ridiculous, but that's the rule.

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Jun 26, 2012

I think you just have to figure out what you need a cheat on, and when you find yourself looking something up, make a note of it. Everyone has different trip-ups! They do publish some little pocket guides that you could flip though to remind yourself of what you are forgetting to make a mental note on.

(I made a cheat that has all the social service phone numbers for my city, but I don't think that will help you much.)

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jun 26, 2012

We had so many doors with different codes I couldn't remember them all, so I typed them , shrunk them and stuck them to the back of my badge along with phone extensions. Then I added a big badge that read Because I said so.

grownuprosie · Jun 26, 2012

We had so many doors with different codes I couldn't remember them all, so I typed them , shrunk them and stuck them to the back of my badge along with phone extensions. Then I added a big badge that read Because I said so.

I am surprised that you were allowed to have a list of codes on your badge. Never mind it getting stolen or left somewhere, what if it gets turned around and visitors and patients see the list? I do not see that ending well.

notmanydaysoff · Jun 26, 2012

I have a customized badge buddy that contains necessary information that I use on a regular basis. I work in urgent care. I give lots of injections, most are IM, some deep IMs. I list the deep IM ones, because for some reason, I haven't memorized them all. I also do blood draws so I have info on common types of blood draws - appropriate color tube, tx.

Also have a listing of necessary phone # - the lab, diagnostics, ER, ph/fax # of the various offices I work in, door codes. I'm not concerned about a non-employee type getting ahold of them cuz they wouldn't know what to do w/them if they did!

I have it on a teeny spread sheet and can add/remove a piece of info when no longer necessary, or I have it inculcated in my brain! Badge buddies are helpful! The place I work actually supplies us with different ones.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jun 26, 2012

I am surprised that you were allowed to have a list of codes on your badge. Never mind it getting stolen or left somewhere, what if it gets turned around and visitors and patients see the list? I do not see that ending well.

I was careful to write it in such a way that if anyone had found it, they would be clueless as to which code opened which door.