ya thats right. Just got report on a 88 year old lady. report stated that she was in with confusion and vitamin b 12 deficiency. lung sounds clear, not attempting to get oob.
After assessing the patient and reading the h/p patient actually had a right hip replacement 2 days ago, with a dressing to the right hip that was saturated. Report from other patients from her were just about as bad.
She has been a nurse for a few years to so its not a case of a new nurse being frazzled.
I think the approach I will take is direct conversation to her tomarrow and tell her what was missed.
I think a lot of valid points have been made, but if I took aside every nurse that gave me a report like that described, I'd have taken aside about one third of the day shift staff at one time or another. What I learned was NEVER to take another nurse's report at face value, and always do an assessment I can bank on. So long as the patients were safe and not marinating in their own juices by the time I came on, I'd focus on doing right by them during my time with them, rather than what the other nurse did or didn't do.
Specializes in Neuroscience/Neuro-surgery/Med-Surgical/.
This is exactly why our hospital implemented the 'bedside report' policy at our hospital.
That way I can give a quick visual assessment while the off going nurse is giving report. Gives an opportunity to ask questions, verify report with patient, and to address any immediate needs such as repositioning, bathroom or pain control needs.
Have been able to correct mistakes and avoid potential falls with this method.
Sirapples
84 Posts
great post