Just for fun.... re: call bells...

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

I'd agree with this policy for most nonemergent call bell pushes (ice, blankets, snacks, change my channel, fluff my pillow, dial this phone number for me, rub my feet, sweeten my coffee, I need a soda, etc.). Instead of calling individually for these things over and over, a policy such as this might get patients to consolidate the calls and ask for several things with one call. :)

OhioCCRN, MSN, NP · Jun 20, 2011

I'd agree with this policy for most nonemergent call bell pushes (ice, blankets, snacks, change my channel, fluff my pillow, dial this phone number for me, rub my feet, sweeten my coffee, I need a soda, etc.). :)

Absolutely! it will be remarkable how suddenly pt's families will learn how to pull up the blanket on mommy dearest instead of calling the Nurse to do it...

Davey Do · Jun 20, 2011

I like the way you think, ohiostudent.

Back in '84, I was hired as an LPN for a new Psych Unit at Hospital where I did my clinicals. A former Medical Ward was used for the old Psych Unit. The Patients, who were 99% ambulatory, could lie in their beds all day, watch TV, smoke cigarettes, have their meals brought to them, and summon the Nurse via call bells. When the new Unit opened up, there were many disgruntled Patients: No smoking or TV or meals in their rooms. They all had to get up and go to the Day Room if they wanted these things!

Times have certainly changed. I now work predominately on a Gero Psych Unit where there are no call bells and many of the Patients are chair or bedfast. Every now and again we get IV's or tube feeders.

So, in the past, we had a Medical environment for Independent Patients, and now we have Limited Services for Patients with Medical issues.

Go figure.

Dave

Flare, ASN, BSN · Jun 20, 2011

The sinister part of me thinks there should be a shock button that would deliver a slight static shock (same intensity you get when you slide out of your car the wrong way) to patients abusing the call button. Kind of an operant conditioning type thing! lol

TheMiss · Jun 20, 2011

Back when I started we used to have an intercom and when somebody rang the bell we could as them from the nurses station why they rang the bell. If it were something they should be doing themselves (talk about keeping patients independent) we would encourage them to do it.

That intercom is sadly missed

punkydoodlesRN, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

Our call bells are my pet peeve - especially since you have to physically travel to the room to turn it off after they push the button by accident.... total PITA when you're busy (and nope, can't just send a tech to do it - we rarely have techs - a whole other rant)

We carry phones and I try very hard to convince my pt to only use that number for anything they need. I can tend to it instantly and I don't have to listen to that stupid call bell go off if they need pain meds. I can simply hang up, walk to the pyxis, get the meds and go to their room....

Raquel8 · Jun 20, 2011

I had a pt call for EVERY little thing, he called me in there one time and didnt even look at me and said put the remote in my hand, it was in his lap he knew it was there he wanted me to put it there, his arms were fine. That got me, usually I'm pretty cool and laid back, but I wanted to say Really?

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jun 20, 2011

Back when I started we used to have an intercom and when somebody rang the bell we could as them from the nurses station why they rang the bell. If it were something they should be doing themselves (talk about keeping patients independent) we would encourage them to do it.
That intercom is sadly missed

we have an intercom. quite often all you hear is "i need my nurse". And it's usually the usual, water, pillow, blanket, etc

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Jun 20, 2011

It isnt so much pushing the call bell that bothers me than when you go into the room to respond and then ask them after if they are all set/need anything else......only to have them call out again 5-10 minutes later that drives me bananas!

cindyloowho · Jun 20, 2011

Call bells could be programmed to work like PCA pumps!!! :yeah: And then we could clear out the totals at the end of the shift...hhhmmmm, pt had 264 demands, with 8 deliveries :cool:

Biffbradford · Jun 20, 2011

I don't think there should be a limit on how much patients ring their cow bells. Especially in the middle of the night. I say, ring away! Keep ringing that cow bell, I'll get there as soon as I can.