I'm wondering if any other hospitals have such a policy in place. We very recently started including in our patient admit information binder a paper which explains to the family and patients how to initiate a MET team response, including which number to call if they feel the nursing staff is not taking appropiate action. It does indicate to notify the primary nurse first if certain things are wrong, like increased SOB or mental status changes. That's great, no problem there. It then goes on to say to ask for the charge nurse if they feel the primary nurse isn't getting the job done (although it's phrased differently, that's what it boils down to). Again, perfectly within reason when a loved one's life is involved.
But then it goes on to say that if things still aren't being done to their satisfaction, to call the number for the MET team. Which means that a page goes out over beepers for multiple staff members hospital wide, pulling them away from their duties, automatically...it's a fully automated system and no human is involved in the paging process asided from the one dialing the phone. Um, hello? Multiple nurses and quite possible support staff such as RT have already addressed the issue, explained our interventions (or lack thereof) and supporting rationale, and have likely already consulted with the attending and/or any applicable specialists. I'm just wondering what management was thinking when they gave family members access to that number...seems like at the least there would be a different number to differentiate what were family initiated and what was nurse initiated.
Any thoughts or am I way off base here? I can think of a few family members of frequent flyers who would really be abusing this situation if we were actually pointing it out to them, instead of hiding it amongst more boring paperwork in the middle of the binder. You all know the kind I'm talking about...
Our hospital started a new program on Jan 1, 2008 called Code H (HELP). It can be used by patients, their family, or staff members pertaining to the care, or lack there of, of the patient by picking up the phone and dialing H-E-L-P. They are connected directly to the Switchboard where they ask for the Code H team which includes the PCC, Charge Nurse of the unit, the Manager of the unit, and the Nurse taking care of the patient. It is intended to be used in any situation where you feel your concerns about the patient's condition are not being addressed properly. It has been a great program that has prevented many undesireable situations and has given the patients and their family a greater sense of involvement in their loved ones care.[/quote
My husband would be alive today had a rapid response team been available. I talked to two of his MD's, his nurse etc and they told me I was wrong and all I did just ****** them off. I was actually told to leave the hospital. He died at age 47.
Too many times, pt. family will state they knew "something" was wrong, but nothing was done. Now, pt. have a chance to live when faced with an inexperienced, stressed, overwork staff. Face it, we are not always right and work on autopilot when busy or tired. A fresh look at a pt. may occasionally be needed.
But now I get to stay at home with the kids from the settlement I got, but I would much rather have him back.:heartbeat
I don't have a problem with this as long as they're not pulling the people on the rapid response team from other pts.
If they are going to do this right, they need to staff this team with people who exclusively do rapid response. Now, I'm sure this probably won't happen because the greedy SOBs in administration figure it would cost too much money. So, once again, the nursing staff and the pts get the short end of the stick.
My husband would be alive today had a rapid response team been available. I talked to two of his MD's, his nurse etc and they told me I was wrong and all I did just ****** them off. I was actually told to leave the hospital. He died at age 47.
Too many times, pt. family will state they knew "something" was wrong, but nothing was done. Now, pt. have a chance to live when faced with an inexperienced, stressed, overwork staff. Face it, we are not always right and work on autopilot when busy or tired. A fresh look at a pt. may occasionally be needed.
But now I get to stay at home with the kids from the settlement I got, but I would much rather have him back.:heartbeat
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's this type of tragic situation that has led to this policy.
I don't have a problem with this as long as they're not pulling the people on the rapid response team from other pts.
If they are going to do this right, they need to staff this team with people who exclusively do rapid response. Now, I'm sure this probably won't happen because the greedy SOBs in administration figure it would cost too much money. So, once again, the nursing staff and the pts get the short end of the stick.
lpnflorida, LPN
1,304 Posts