dect phones

[knockandhello]

Do you answer dect phones while doing medication rounds?If not, why not.

[cruisinRN]

OK, please first tell me what a dect phone is?

I'm guessing it's like a cell phone that many hospital staff now carry. (I no longer work bedside, but have been a pt way too much over the past year).

[nightmare, RN]

Digital enhanced cordless telecommunications, in other words a cordless phone.I carry ours in my pocket and yes I do answer it when I'm doing drug round as I am nurse in charge.Usually they are fairly short calls but sometimes it's from a worried relative who just wants to talk and this can hold up your drug round for a while.If I answer the phone I generally stop and take the call I do not try and put out drugs as well as talking incase I make a mistake,not as good at multi tasking as I used to be!

[marjoriemac, LPN]

We don't even have a cordless phone but we try (often in vain) to get the C/A's to answer calls during drug rounds. We also have a badge we have to wear stating we are on the drug round and not to disturb. I do not wear it as it is pointless and people disturb you anyway.