Hippa Nightmares

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 8, 2003

Keep it brief. ONLY THE FACTS, Ma'am. If necessary, you may need to make a "form" outlining the pertinent facts needed for shift report. REALLY a shift report should not take longer than 15-30 minutes, no matter how bad a floor you are leaving. It' s usually lolly-gagging and chit-chat that makes it go longer, and I don't have the time. Unless the floor is a mess and impossible to leave (e.g. unstable), 7:30 a.m. comes, I am OFF THAT CLOCK. I don't waste others' time with bullpoop in report and I won't let them waste mine, even if it means gently and kindly guiding them back to the facts.

Try the form/outline to see if it helps. You know, the basics, such as vital signs, significant changes since last shift/ brief synopsis of med hx and/or why person is on your unit, treatments/labs etc. due and any results that must be passed on, IV's running, and/or other drips, foleys, etc.....you know the deal.... It is not rocket science, just some of us make it such. Good luck.

Spaniel gal · Jul 8, 2003

hi

We have been using taped handover the format for 6 months. The format we use is:

Name

Age

Diagnosis

Current problems

Allergies

IV's/meds

relevant details (such as social problems, on child at-risk-reg, etc)

This is taped to the desk as a reminder!!

The guide time is 3 minutes. If the patient notes are current and relevant, it is unnecessary to spend a long time in handover.

In our folders we have an "all about me" detailing things such as feeding/bathing/ when screw turns are to be done, etc.

For us it is easier as we are a 14-bedded unit with most of our patients staying for approx month plus then they come back for physio. So our turn-over is slow.

Before though handover was nightmare 45-1 hour which is mad!!

mother/babyRN, RN · Jul 8, 2003

Hey, all good ideas but taping facts on patients to the desk or anywhere a pt or family member could possibly wander, is a hippa violation. We have to tear our cheat sheets and info sheets into at least 4 pieces...God forbid the janitor might actually recognize someone~

Furball · Jul 8, 2003

I think she meant that the report guide was taped to the desk not personal info.

rnnurse2be · Jul 8, 2003

I think Spaniel Gal meant a blank one to use as a format. This way as you are taping, you follow it down the list.

Spaniel gal · Jul 8, 2003

yep i meant the guide taped to the desk, not patient info :eek:

what is hippa anyway (im a UK nurse)

Ruby

kermit27 · Jul 8, 2003

Ditto, Spaniel Gal,

I've been reading about all this Hippa (hippo?:) ) stuff on this bb for a while. Appears to be something that came in with the Clinton admin? as I lived there until 1988 and never heard of it, even with lots of friends in med school etc.

any takers?

sanakruz, ADN · Jul 8, 2003

Please dont get me started on this-

Healthcare Information Protection and Portibility Act I believe the accronym stands for and it's roots are with BUSH I.

The director of our mental health clinic decided he would look for HIPPA infractions by announcing unannounced visits would be paid by memmbers of the "Privacy Committee" of which he is a member and that the commitee would rifle through any unlocked desk drawers in our offices to find PHI and then discipline the renegades. He actulally put this in writing! "Someone" complained to the UNION which let this man know that such a practice violated THE FOURTH AMENDMANT of the US constitution.;Not to mention Article I of the California constitution.

I honestly dont think he understands the whole "spirit" of HIPPA,if you will.

I guess bureaucrats love bureaucracy:p

I think these ideas for report are fab,irregardless of HIPPA.... :nurse:

live4today, RN · Jul 8, 2003

What's in effect for the patients who share rooms in the hospital to keep their information from being heard by one another and the visiting family members of one another?

How "HIPPA" is that? :nurse:

sanakruz, ADN · Jul 8, 2003

We suggested at our clinic that all clients be offered paperbags to wear on their heads while waiting in the anteroom, and that we will call them all by their 5 digits numbers,something like"#10198, the doctor will see you now." Then guide whoever stands up gently inside (cuz their vision is obscurred). The administration failed to see the levity.

live4today, RN · Jul 8, 2003

sanakruz.............:chuckle :roll :chuckle