Does this sound like "a little much" to you??

Published

Specializes in PICU/NICU.

So.... engineering was installing these clear plastic plaques in all of our rooms today! Apparently, they are going to be filled with a checklist/sheet that the RN must sign EVERY HOUR to show that they have been in that patient's room. Much like the restroom cleaning schedule at your local McDonalds. Apparently this is some great new hospital wide policy they higher ups have come up with.

OK...... I work in the PICU! I am pretty much always in my pts room and we are required to document on our patients every hour anyway!!

This just really gets under my skin! I feel like this is just a little much. Your thoughts??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry.

It sounds like an administrator who wears a suit and sits in a fancy office with nothing better to came up with the idea.

Doesn't your regular charting cover when/where/what you are doing in the patient's room?

I agree, in addition to your normal charting, filling out a sheet in the patient's room seems a bit much.

Sorry you have to endure it.

Best,

Diane

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

I don't think it's a bad idea. There are patients who claim they haven't seen their nurse for hours.

No, charting does not surfice because we chart by exception, we do not chart that we merely checked on the patient.

We had a pt death, she was a 96 y/o with CA, she was on telemetry, found dead by a family member, when the telemetry history was checked, she had been flat lined for over 2 hours. The family member was actually relieved not upset about the telemetry not being checked but it could have had a very different outcome.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wonder how long it'll be before someone realizes they can stack those little sheets next to the regular charting and just initial down the line before the end of the shift, then return to rooms...papers to initial don't mean anything. Either you've been there or you haven't.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My hospital network is doing this too. Naturally, it isn't going over well!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Bet that sheet will require more than just acknowlegement of your hourly presence...look forward to verifying that you inquired about pain, need to toilet etc etc etc

Much like a bad flu virus you can predict this "disease" spread; I'm also sure some scripting will be required as well.

What educated person would tolerate such nonsense; And the powers that be wonder why they are unable to retain nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

my hospital initiated this months ago, though it's in the computer and not on paper. I think it is ridiculous and don't chart it. If I am in my pts room turning, performing interventions, etc, throughout the day and documenting such, I feel no need to document that I was physically at the BS every hour. :rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Bet that sheet will require more than just acknowlegement of your hourly presence...look forward to verifying that you inquired about pain, need to toilet etc etc etc

Much like a bad flu virus you can predict this "disease" spread; I'm also sure some scripting will be required as well.

What educated person would tolerate such nonsense; And the powers that be wonder why they are unable to retain nurses.

Yep, one of the hospitals in my network has a nice little script to go along with it. It involves a brief rundown of your educational and professional background, as well as where to find the "snack center" and what channel would you like on your TV? Luckily, this is not where I work, because I'd probably wind up getting escorted out by security. ;) :banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CVICU, Burns, Trauma, BMT, Infection control.

This is more JCAHO paperwork nonsense,they find a deficiency and "solve it" by throwing more paperwork at the staff who being already so tied up with paperwork cannot even get close to the pt to do basic nursing care. I'm sure initials won't suffice for long we'll probably have to do real time loggins to a computer or some such nonsense. Don't get me started on jcaho nonsense. Argh!:down::down:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN- Med/surg.

We have them. It's a joke really. We usually forget and sign them at the end of the shift.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
no, charting does not surfice because we chart by exception, we do not chart that we merely checked on the patient.

actually, i've grown accustomed to charting "hourly rounds" on flow sheets. both nurses and techs are responsible.

easy as anything to get around...but it's a little less annoying than having it in the room.

jess

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I love this idea. Now when I go in to the room every hour I can report to Mr. Smith, the sick person, that NO, in fact his medication has still not been sent up from pharmacy, his name is still not in the computer system, and his meal from dietary was eaten by the housekeeping staff.

Unfortunately, these documents are not part of the permanent record and are considered hospital property. But you can bet your a$$ if something bad happens they will magically appear in the hospital lawyers office.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion