Interruptions while giving report

FLArn · Nov 7, 2011

I also give report in "head to toe" order. I do not give my assessment but it is the order in which I organize my report. I talk about the acute issues of the patient starting with mental/orientation issues if any and ending with mobility issues. Other people have different ways of organizing but that is what works for me. Some nurses will always interrupt but I usually say something like "I've been here 12 hours now and I'm pretty much brain damaged at this end of the shift so if you keep stopping me to ask questions I'll lose my train of thought and we'll both be here forever. I'll fill in any blanks when I'm done." I also listen straight through before asking questions when taking report from them so I generally "get what I give" .

allnurses Guide · Nov 7, 2011

Some nurses will always interrupt but I usually say something like "I've been here 12 hours now and I'm pretty much brain damaged at this end of the shift so if you keep stopping me to ask questions I'll lose my train of thought and we'll both be here forever. I'll fill in any blanks when I'm done." I also listen straight through before asking questions when taking report from them so I generally "get what I give" .

This is exactly what I say - my brain just isn't working that well for interruptions about things I'm just about to tell you if you just give me the chance.

I have a hard time getting back on that train of thought too.

Depends a bit on whether you are talking to nurses who've been there and are familiar with patients or not.

There are people who go into way too much detail or the ones who tell long-winded stories about the patient.

Short and sweet is my goal. But please, if you interrupt in the middle, it will take longer.

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2011

here is my typical report, pts name, doc, admitting dx, pertinent hx to admitting dx, if they are alert, if they are on tele, how many liters of O2 and activity, location of IV and fluids and rate, allergies if any and any new orders for procedures. So am I missing anything and do you think thats too much info? Oh, and thank you for the spelling lesson too.

since i work in the ER, take this with that grain of salt...its definitely too much. (I note that you left out the head to toe you mentioned in your first post which is WAY over the top).

I can not understand why people tell me the patient's history (my job to review) or allergies (also my job to review with patient when I administer meds) unless patient had a recent anaphylaxis as in last few hours since most allergies are really intolerances or if you gave benadryl. I don't care who the doctor is but if you had a recent run in with him or her, please mention that. I want to be prepared if he/she is stupid or ******.

I don't care where IV is (though if you think its iffy or you don't have one, just confess). I also don't care if there are any procedures due unless pt is now drinking contrast or is NPO for some reason or freaking out about it. Also, don't care what is listed as admitting diagnosis since this is likely horse poop. For example, I recently admitted a syncope who is really admitted for nursing home placement.

When I gave report on the floor in my practicum, I made sure to discuss any meds that were due in the evening (since I figured the nurse would likely be starting her own assessments at that time), any issues that were pending (awaiting lab results, new fluids from pharmacy) and as someone else mentioned, the patient's plan of care (discharge tomorrow if ambulatory to bathroom without difficulty or when PT cleared). Also mentioned any drains patient might have.

As for the spelling, my mother is from the UK and taught me the other spelling and I am forever being chastised for it. Figured you prefer to know than not know...

loriangel14, RN · Nov 7, 2011

here is my typical report, pts name, doc, admitting dx, pertinent hx to admitting dx, if they are alert, if they are on tele, how many liters of O2 and activity, location of IV and fluids and rate, allergies if any and any new orders for procedures. So am I missing anything and do you think thats too much info? Oh, and thank you for the spelling lesson too.

Oh my yes, that's WAY too much.

sweetnurse63, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2011

Report should be a conversation, which means the other person talks as well. They shouldn't be interrupting you mid-sentence, but it's much more effective to discuss something when you're on that topic.
"Interactive" reports are actually a Joint Commission requirement, so it's not just that the other Nurses are being rude, it's good practice.

The only time a nurse receiving report should interrupt the nurse giving report is when she or he has questions about something that was said. It burns me up when I am stopped in mid sentence and the nurse is asking about something that I was just getting ready to say. The other day I actually told the nurse that if she would listen then she would hear the information. After all she was just coming in the door, I believe I should know more about the present status of the patient more than she does since I have been there for the last 8.5 hrs. Also, if the nurse coming on does not know the patient, the report is more detailed compared to the nurse that already knows the patient then I would just give pertinent data. I have rude nurse assistants on my job, while I.m giving report they will just come in and ask a question or start talking to the other nurse, no excuse me or anything. It is just plain rude!!!!!.

evolvingrn, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2011

waaaaaaaay to much. but it also depends where you work. at my old job we had to tell the pt , code status, where they came from, their dx, symptoms we are actively treating, Pt and family goals, family and how they are coping, updates to the care plan, things we would like the next shift to take care, last bm. that was adminstration mandated.

where i work now, you just introduce the new nurse to the patient, trace teh lines, talk about the plan for the rest of the day, any problems/symptoms we managed and how and answer any questions the pt may have before i leave. that takes about 30 seconds :)

beast master RN · Nov 7, 2011

lol i love it when people banter back and forth, you suck, no you suck, no you dont understand you suck , whatever u asked for help you suck :banghead:

VICEDRN, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2011

lol i love it when people banter back and forth, you suck, no you suck, no you dont understand you suck , whatever u asked for help you suck

lol. i love posts that randomly refer to "people" when user names are clearly listed. Its an allnurses special.

Can't seem to be that brave that you call people out on what you see (which I don't agree with by the way)? :banghead:

MsSocalRN · Nov 7, 2011

I also give report in "head to toe" order. I do not give my assessment but it is the order in which I organize my report. I talk about the acute issues of the patient starting with mental/orientation issues if any and ending with mobility issues. Other people have different ways of organizing but that is what works for me. Some nurses will always interrupt but I usually say something like "I've been here 12 hours now and I'm pretty much brain damaged at this end of the shift so if you keep stopping me to ask questions I'll lose my train of thought and we'll both be here forever. I'll fill in any blanks when I'm done." I also listen straight through before asking questions when taking report from them so I generally "get what I give" .

Thank you! This is how I report, I meant that I organize all pertinent info in head to toe fashion. I do not give them my full assessment.

WillowNMe · Nov 7, 2011

I haven't read the other posts, much... so I may be repeating. But it might be too much information. On my floor, we tape and then just do a quick update at handoff, which I like... and in my taped report, I given name, age, code status, admit date, admit reasons, team, history, what has happened over the shift, and what the schedule is for the next shift.

Not going to lie, it irritates me when people ask me questions like lung sounds and bowel movements at report. 1.) Its in documentation, look it up! I do! Takes two seconds. 2.) Do your own assessment! Same thing when I am giving report - I don't want to waste the other RNs time by going on with information that they might already have, and if not they have easy access to it.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2011

you might be wasting too much time on stuff thenext shift can easily look up on the chart. head to toe? do you mean stuff like , "lung sounds clear in all fields, patient on room air" on a frequent flyer walkie talkie in for adbdominal pain? that might be too excesive for most people.

Zen123 · Nov 7, 2011

Dayshift nurse told me she did not tape a report but said just go ahead and listen to night shift's report!