doctors order

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2003

Hi! The best advice, is to always read back. Don't be intimidated. You worked hard to get your license. Always, always, always, 100% of the time without fail read back the order making sure your are 100% sure of what was said.

Of course, still look up the drugs if your unfamiliar with the drug. Because if doc ordered an inappropriate drug or dose, then it's still your license that you worked so hard for.

Phone orders are serious business and if you've made mistakes in the past, let this be a red flag to you.

Good luck!

ytoni · Oct 22, 2003

Hi, I did want to read back to them but the problem was they already hang up the phone.Its a good thing that pharmacy checks the order and corrects them....

Brownms46 · Oct 22, 2003

If you didn't understand, or hear the order right first and foremost...don't assume anything! If they are too big of a hurry to make sure you understood the order, then they need to write it or don't order it!

I agree with the above post! Read it back!

EastCoast · Oct 22, 2003

Originally posted by ytoni
Hi, I did want to read back to them but the problem was they already hang up the phone.Its a good thing that pharmacy checks the order and corrects them....

And if the pharmacy is tired or interprets it incorrectly???

Do not rely on another department to do your job correctly. That is not the role of pharmacy.

You are destined to have a medication error and ultimatley it will fall upon you as a major factor in the error. As well, you are unknowingly placing liability on the doctor.

After doc so and so mumbles say back to him "So i am going to give such and such at whatever dose ?" Do not be embarassed because you might not have heard of a med and ask him to repeat it. On another thread there is discussion about etomidate. Whenever I ask for that med on a general unit I get the puzzled look and then will spell it. If you need to have the doc do that ...go ahead. His license is on the line here too.

CYA> Watch out for yourself.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 22, 2003

The way one nurse at work does this "Ok Dr. X thank you for the order, now let read back to you to verify now."

Like the above post says, CYA!!

EastCoast · Oct 22, 2003

Additional thought.........

cell phones make it someitmes difficut to interpret. If this is the case when you can't hear or understand it's okay to say "i can't hear you well, could you speak up'.

Brownms46 · Oct 22, 2003

I agree with EastCoast! You need to make sure you know what is being ordered! I have had doc spell out a med before, and or when being given a generic drug name, they will give the brand name. Saying something like you probably know this drug by this or that name.

The patient, you and the MD can't afford for there to be any miscommunicaton at all! Always make sure you understand what is being ordered. Take NO chances!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2003

Don't be afraid to call them back. That'll teach them from hanging up on you before you're finished. Been there, done that. It's aggravating to have to clarify and order after you've hung up, and it's 3:00 in the morning. You may get yelled at, but you gotta have thick skin. The board of nursing isn't going to care that you didn't want to bother the doc and that doc hung up on you.

I have trouble with some accents late at night when the docs are tired and they are trying to be quiet so as not to wake the family, but I ask until I'm 100% clear what they are saying.

Good luck!

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Oct 23, 2003

Agree with Tweety's posts, read it back, if they hang up cll them back and say, "Sir, I did not get to clarify the order with you and I cannot proceed until I do." The doc will not like it, but a few calls may make him realize to listen to the nurse for clarification. Also if possible, ask another nurse to listen in for all phone orders and cosign with you. This has protected me more than once. It can be hard when you are starting out and don't exactly know the ropes yet, but remember, YOU do not want to place the license you worked so hard for in danger.

hospicemom · Jul 20, 2004

Hi, I am a new nurse in the med-surg unit and just got out of orientation. During my training my preceptor let me take doctors order, I often make mistakes in taking them as doctors don't often speak clearly and hurry in talking to you. Some doctors listen for read backs but some don't. I just double check on nursing drug handbook to make sure. Do you guys have some tips for me...

always ALWAYS read back..the doc will just have to deal with it...if he has a prob with it, politly say...excuse me doc so and so, but I would like to read this back to you to avoid having to call you back at 3a.m when my pt recieved the wrong dose of the wrong med......may I read back now? hehe...and always chart if you READ BACK.......I always do...saves my butt:)

nursbee04 · Jul 28, 2004

I ALWAYS turn the desk volume way up because the docs on our unit inevitably mumble, or they are half asleep (night shift.) They give the verbal order and I write it (ON A SCRAP SHEET :) ), then I say "OK, thats Xmg of Xdrug Xtimes a day for (insert pt's name), correct? Thanks Dr. Soandso" And I always sign the order with:

TO/Dr. Soandso/readback/verified/Nursbee, RN - date and time

(TO = telephone order)

Don't be embarassed or nervous. Always readback - don't be afraid to ask for clarification = Your patient's safety and your license are on the line.

I just can't understand the mumblers. I don't have hearing problems, but sometimes for the life of me I can't figure out what they're saying!