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Discussion

Manager interrupting

I am curious to see what other nurses think about a situation that occurred last week.

I was reviewing the preop checklist at the desk with the GI lab nurse. My manager called my name, so I responded "one second, I'm signing off on this patient." Her immediate response was, "No, a physician needs to speak with you." The physician comes to my other side and starts talking about a patient and discharge planning as I was trying to write down the patient's vitals and sign the checklist. After I did that, I looked at her puzzled, and asked which patient she was referring to. She said the patient's name... same last name, but different patient. So I sent her off in the direction of the correct nurse.

I am a MSN-prepared nursing professor, and this is my casual job at the hospital. I am appalled at the manager's behavior. I find it unacceptable to interrupt another collaboration between healthcare providers for non-emergent issues, especially when it involves sending a patient for a procedure. The mindset that a physician's words are more important is not sitting right with me.

What are your thoughts?

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    Pre op safety lists come first, not to be disturbed. I'll bet my mortgage whatever doc wanted could have easily waited 2.5 minutes ****** manager

    patientvsafety first and foremost

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    My advice: you know the right thing, but don't pursue, it's a temp gig... don't let it follow you potentially

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    This is a culture that has been allowed to GROW.... one RN will not change this... let it go

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    Studies are also finding that multi tasking leads to increased errors and less optimal outcomes. Personally I wouldn't want to have. Even either pt on those codes.

    The pre-op is important. Do you think that anyone would excuse this nurse if as a result of the interruption something was missed and there was a negative outcome for the pt during the procedure? No, they wouldn't,they would hold her accountable.

    It was wrong for the manager to interrupt, and I likely would have respectfully ask the physician to allow me to complete the checklist. Many docs are ok with that.. how can anyone fault someone for trying to maintain pt safety?

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    I was inserting a foley on a patient that was NOT anatomically correct anymore when my work phone kept ringing and ringing nonstop. I was ready to throw it out the window but couldn't because I had STERILE gloves on! When I finished I was checked the caller ID, thinking it was the unit clerk suffering a case of OCD with my number. It was a patient's room. It wasn't the patient. It was the urologist who had ordered the foley on the other patient! I looked at him deadpan and said, " sorry, but I was in the middle of catching your other patient". He said, "oh, did you get it?"..."yes, but the phone ringing nonstop in my pocket looked a tad unprofessional". He then said "I just need the urology cart for this patient"...he could not have just called the desk????

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    I completely agree. It is a complete disregard for patient safety and probably an overestimation of one's ability. If someone multitasked or was not focused or distracted when doing my checklist I would feel like my care and safety were compromised.

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