An RT was in my patient's room. I heard the DD ask the RT for her mom to be moved up in bed. It was right next to the nurse's station where I was standing, so I started to go in there to help the RT with the boost. I walked into the room, past the RT, and went to the bed. I turned around, expecting the RT to be standing there waiting for me to get into position. He was walking out the door. I had to walk back out and get another nurse to help.
I was in the middle of doing paperwork when the monitor tech called to say that some of the leads were off on a patient. I asked the only PCT in sight--who was leaning against the station doing nothing to go in there to adjust it. "That's not my patient" was the answer. "Yes, I know, but the leads need checking. Please do it." Huff-n-Puff.
Do you ever feel as if you work with a bunch of children on some days who can't look past their own narrow world? I don't think I'll ever get used to this attitude. Ever.
I'll generally let family help if they're the normal caregivers. After all, at home they're usually lifting the patient without help. So I can generally trust them to do their "share" of the lift. :) Non-caregivers though? Depends on the situation.
Dietary generally won't help due to contamination issues, which I get, I don't want the people handling food digging around in beds where special goodies may be found.
RT, PT, etc though? There's NO reason that they can't help.
I've had family offer to help me, but I've politely turned them down.
This has been an interesting discussion with a lot of good points about safety, worker's comp, and communication with co-workers.
I can't always drop what I'm doing at that exact moment. As I mentioned in a previous post, it takes me longer to get back on track with something that must be done perfectly, such as med rec or pulling/admining meds. Unless it's an emergency, I can't comfortably stop in the middle of doing certain tasks.
I like sistasoul's explanation to aides when she's caught up with something else. I do that, too. If they are willing to wait a few minutes, I'm willing to help.
wooh, BSN, RN
1 Article; 4,383 Posts
I'll generally let family help if they're the normal caregivers. After all, at home they're usually lifting the patient without help. So I can generally trust them to do their "share" of the lift. :) Non-caregivers though? Depends on the situation.
Dietary generally won't help due to contamination issues, which I get, I don't want the people handling food digging around in beds where special goodies may be found.
RT, PT, etc though? There's NO reason that they can't help.