We recently went thru our joint commission audit and dinged on some really stupid stuff....like having too many O2 cylinders and having a portable computer (on wheels) in front of a fire extinguisher. Anyway, we have now completely gone off the deep end and instituted some of the most time intensive endevors ever. Is anyone doing the "Time out" dance now?
With any invasive procedure including I&D's, LP's and sutures for lac repair, yes sutures, we must get informed consent (already did this for LP's), have the nurse or tech and MD in the room. Stop before getting started, verify the patient name 2 ways, asking patient if they agree and all in room must say they agree. State type of procedure reiterating site 3 separate times, all saying they agree. If this time out is interrupted at any point, phone call, family walking in room, patient screaming, etc....we must start over. If anyone turns their back to work on a tray or pull up a sheet, we must start over. It has to be silent and no movement during the timeout.
The doc had 2 forms to fill out and bring into the room, and H&P, and form stating their intent...i.e. lac closure left wrist using 4-0 ethelon...etc.
It is adding so much time and paperwork to what we already do.
Everyone is ticked, but we are told tough, this is what JCAHO wants and what they want is what they get. Is this what it is all coming to?
With this stuff and mandatory computerized charting (another thorn in myside), there is scant time for patient care. They have become incidental in this whole picture.
If this is the way of the future, then I want out, and I want out soon.
BTW, this is a 50+ bed trauma, referral center with over 100K visits per year.
I have done this 32 years now, maybe it is time to work at Lowes. Don't laugh, I can learn to drive a forklift!