Just wondering...

[NurseFrustrated]

Are hospital pharmacists or physical therapists not allowed to call doctors to get medicine/ weight bearing status order clarifications? Why do they call me, the nurse, when I am in the middle of direct patient care and procedures and make me call the doctor with THEIR questions and then call them back with what the doctor said? Making me be the middle man really puts me behind in taking care of patients. I know it's my patient but why is something that it seems they are perfectly capable of doing as licensed medical professionals put on me as the nurse? Is this the way it is at all hospitals?

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

I think it would depend on the nature of the inquiry. Obtaining patient weight is a nursing responsibility, so it makes sense to call the nurse. If s/he has a question about the rationale for drug Rx, they should call the prescriber.