Texting in nursing

[kimbagirl]

There must be something wrong with me or Im just too old and not "with the times" as has been pointed out to me. Nurses today, staff and management , dont see a problem with texting doctors. Did not get a job today because I frowned upon doing such, on my personal phone no less. I stated that I call doctors and mentioned HIPPA and she (RN!) stated to me that doctors dont have time to answer their phone. I have worked with others who see no need to write their title after their name in the narc book, and even others who dont know how to write a hard copy! doctors order. No name who wrote it,no date dosage, etc. Everything is sooooo impersonal and computerized and no one cares. My husband says...why cant you just text like everyone else does?!Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Katillac, RN]

That guidance says should. There's nothing saying that texting orders is prohibited, nor that a third party cannot enter the orders. In fact, it seems to even encourage it as long as the hospital has a secure system set up...

"In order to be compliant with the CoPs or CfCs, all providers must utilize and maintain

systems/platforms that are secure, encrypted, and minimize the risks to patient privacy and

confidentiality as per HIPAA regulations and the CoPs or CfCs. It is expected that

providers/organizations will implement procedures/processes that routinely assess the security

and integrity of the texting systems/platforms that are being utilized, in order to avoid negative

outcomes that could compromise the care of patients."

Maybe you want to read it again? The paragraph you quoted refers to texting patient information and platform requirements, not texting orders.

The following quotes specifically prohibit texting orders:

"Texting of patient orders is prohibited regardless of the platform utilized."

"CMS does not permit the texting of orders by physicians or other health care

providers. The practice of texting orders from a provider to a member of the care team is not in compliance with the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) or Conditions for Coverage (CfCs)."

[Rainbow_RN, BSN, RN]

Being a millennial, and a brand new grad RN, I think texting is convenient. But, it's easy for your tone to get misconstrued. At my workplace we use Voalte/PerfectServe-- secure systems. Everybody gets an iPhone to use for work purposes when on the clock. Texting a doc from my own phone, I'd have an issue with that.

[osceteacher]

I'd rather text thanks.

[Julius Seizure]

Patient arrives to floor with an order to notify MD on arrival. MD paged. Nurse is called to a room. Her facility phone rings, but she chooses not to answer because she is consoling a grieving family. She leaves the room, to discover that MD returned her call. So now, 2 calls have been made, MD still doesn't know why he/she was paged. Do this 3 more times, until they actually can speak.

Now, try this with an encrypted system with a text that says " Letting you know that Mrs. S has arrived to the floor in room 1511."

Additionally, on call doc is now grumpy at getting paged when the paging nurse isn't available to answer the phone and is now stubbornly refusing to answer page #3.

[WanderingWilder, ASN]

Being a millennial, and a brand new grad RN, I think texting is convenient. But, it's easy for your tone to get misconstrued. At my workplace we use Voalte/PerfectServe-- secure systems. Everybody gets an iPhone to use for work purposes when on the clock. Texting a doc from my own phone, I'd have an issue with that.

This what my hospital uses as well. I don't know how I'd feel using my own phone either, but I like the voalte system.