Do you have to call your nurse manager before you call the doctor?

[Blackcat99]

We are told on all shifts that we must call "the nurse manager on call" before we call a doctor for any reason. Is that just at my nursing home or do other nursing homes have that policy too? All of us nurses absolutely hate that rule. So what happens if I think that the resident needs to go to the emergency room stat but the "nurse manager" says "No" So who gets sued if the patient dies? Me or the "nurse manager" who said No don't send the resident to the ER?

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

We have a very busy post acute unit with very sick people. If my nurses had to call me before they called the doctor or after they called the doctor, I'd get even less sleep than I do now! I hired them because they have good assessment skills and know what to do for a resident who is going to crash...no need to second guess them.

Yes! This is how we operate at my job!! I love this and appreciate the confidence our DON had in us floor nurses!

[LaRN]

it's possible she does this because the nurse who calls the doc has a lot of influence whether the md sends the patient out or chooses to treat the patient where they are, ie, antibiotics, u/a, portable xray, etc. the manager probably wants to know what is going on and make sure the nurse remembers to remind the md that they are a medical facility and can possibly provide the care that the patient needs. most hospital transports aren't like dramatic scenes from E.R., they are for things that can be handled in the nursing home, however, if your patient codes, surely they don't expect the nurse to waste time by calling supervisors.

[Bacon Z]

I get a final warning for col the MD before the super visor.. it's even that legal??

[Bacon Z]

Bacon Z said:

I get a final warning for col the MD before the super visor.. it's even that legal??

 

[Bacon Z]

Bacon Z said:

I get a final warning for col the MD before the supervisor .. it's even that legal??