Med passes

BSN-to-MSN, ADN, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2019

I usually keep doing a task at hand and say something along the lines, " we will do this/ talk next". Usually it gets the family, pt, ot, speech, huc, lab person, portable xr tech, etc. off my back for a little while. Even some docs and nps. It lets them know that my time is just as important as theirs.

I get it, there are some emergent situations that warrant exceptions.

workinmomRN2012, BSN · Jul 13, 2019

On 7/9/2019 at 4:41 PM, Davey Do said:
I've modified the adage a bit with "A priority on your part does not necessarily constitute one on mine".

Or "lack of planning on your part, does not constitute an emergency on my part"! In other words, you should have asked all your questions when I was just in your room 5 minutes ago!!

Rionoir, ADN, RN · Jul 13, 2019

If you work at a hospital whose values include patient-centered care, I would avoid most of what I've read in this thread if I were you. ?

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2019

1 hour ago, workinmomRN2012 said:
Or "lack of planning on your part, does not constitute an emergency on my part"! In other words, you should have asked all your questions when I was just in your room 5 minutes ago!!

Do you actually say this to people? Perhaps another question or 2 came to mind after you spoke with them.

I am dismayed by the rudeness in these posts. If I were family, I'd be reporting every one of you who speak this way, who show me they don't give a blessed dog pile about me or my loved one - even if you are doing the work of 12 people and are short-staffed and have the weight of the world upon your slender shoulders. There is a simple thing you can do instead of trying to fight the more or less inevitable "interruptions" by family. You can just ask what the issue is and say you'll take care of it shortly.

If you are not fighting for proper staffing, if you are not interacting with your legislators, you are not going to see improvement in your work settings. Unions, banding together - these will force your bosses and admins to realize that staffing is ridiculous and get some positive changes happening.

And whoever said that family must have someone else to talk to about their concerns was absolutely right. Griping and resenting on the nurses' part will not achieve anything.

Let's be good to ourselves by fighting for our profession.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2019

On 7/9/2019 at 11:58 AM, payitforward said:
I would like to know if there "rules of engagement" when you are on the need cart, attempting to pass meds and CONSTANTLY get interrupted,by either resident s or family members. I was on my cart, in the middle of my med pass and several family members kept coming up to me asking me questions that would take me away from my cart. I explained to one, (who just stood there) that I was in the middle of med pass.some folk will say okay,some are so nasty.

Did you give them reason to believe that you would address their concerns soon? Did you explain anything to them about who they should talk to you besides you?

Did you treat them the way you would want your loved one or yourself treated?

Being in the middle of med pass means nothing to civilians or people in need.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2019

On 7/9/2019 at 12:12 PM, Davey Do said:
I have my own"rules of engagement" which are obviously much like yours, payitforward, and have received guff from my supervisor when I informed a family member they they had to "wait your turn".
I have also said things like "Excuse me, but I'm focused here". I don't give a rat's rear if they are put off by my appropriately direct method. Priorities are priorities and from this I will not budge. My focus upon a skilled nursing duty will always be more important than some ignorant need for less important immediate gratification.
Another line I've used is "Unless you're bleeding from one or more orifices, what I'm doing here is more important".
I could go on and on, payitforward, but to you I say,"Keep on keeping on".

It's hard to believe you actually say this stuff to family or acute patients. If you're in long term Psych, and depending on your whole demeanor, I could see these replies being OK with some patients.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2019

On 7/9/2019 at 3:16 PM, payitforward said:
Thank you! I find that unfortunately, the old adage of "An emergency on your part does not constitute one on mine", comes into play. Im trying to do what I need to do to prevent errors, and still give good customer service, but sometimes I feel like folk honestly believe that YOU ARE suppose to drop what you are doing and cater to them. They will either stand right there by the cart, or go back to the room and wait in the doorway until you come. I find that to be very annoying, and I'm REALLY trying hard not to show it on my face! whoooooooosaaaaaaa

What do you think the cure is? What should people do instead of talking to their nurse?

JKL33 · Jul 13, 2019

10 hours ago, Kooky Korky said:
I am dismayed by the rudeness in these posts. If I were family, I'd be reporting every one of you who speak this way, who show me they don't give a blessed dog pile about me or my loved one - even if you are doing the work of 12 people and are short-staffed and have the weight of the world upon your slender shoulders.

Kooky, I sort of agree with your sentiment, but this mindset ^ is no longer okay in my book. No we cannot not do everything while [being made to feel the weight of the world is upon our slender shoulders] being told that everything under the sun is our responsibility and by the way this is the staffing and that's that. NO. No one can do this and do it any real justice according to most customers' standards. Please explain to me why the entry level employees are responsible for the fact that the main person who can address needs is the one person pushing a med cart and trying to safely administer medications to dozens of people. Then explain why they shouldn't find this just a little overwhelming, and also why the business owners should sleep well at night while we all rip each other to shreds over the normal human reactions we have to all of it.

Yes, we shouldn't take our frustrations out on patients and families (although I'm sure a lot of what is written here is people's feelings, not necessarily actions) - - but we also must stop expecting that as conditions continue to worsen people can just smile and pick up the pace a little and be just as pleasant as can be as the role becomes more and more impossible to do well. Or their other option is contacting legislators and somehow forcing change. Or quitting (only to find out the next place is even worse). Meanwhile the underlying ethical issue has nothing to do with the person who now has the responsibility to do all these additional civil/ethical duties as well.

You say if you were the family you would report every such worker. THAT is part of the problem. You don't strike me as someone who would berate a waitress for serving undercooked food. *Please excuse the analogy, I am not saying we're waitresses,* but under the circumstances the situations are at least somewhat similar. It isn't too difficult to figure out that the one pushing the cart medicating dozens of people is not the one to take out anger upon when every passing need can't be instantly met while keeping everyone safe.

I think it's very unbecoming to take things out on patients and it's not a healthy attitude. We all know that. But I seriously do find it even worse when someone (anyone) comes along needing to point fingers, and doesn't even understand enough to know where to most helpfully point them.

Wlaurie, RN · Jul 13, 2019

Couple years ago i was a new nurse working LTC. I was doing my afternoon med pass, other nurse left early so now there's 54 patients I'm technically responsible for, doctor comes and wants to give me new orders, phones ringing off the hook but not a CNA in sight. It was a perfect storm of a mess. I actually got called in the office and berated for bad time management and not answering the phone! I was literally told to carry the portable phone on my cart and answer calls as I do my med pass. Folks I can't make this stuff up! I dont mine answering the phones but not while I'm passing meds. I quickly said Bye Felicia to this place.

Rionoir, ADN, RN · Jul 13, 2019

Staffing issues and being overworked are still no excuse for sarcasm and rudeness to patients and their families. There are ways to reply to requests without dropping everything and being their private maid. “Unless you're bleeding from one or more orifices, what I'm doing here is more important” is an appropriate response 0% of the time.

workinmomRN2012, BSN · Jul 13, 2019

20 hours ago, Kooky Korky said:
Do you actually say this to people? Perhaps another question or 2 came to mind after you spoke with them.
I am dismayed by the rudeness in these posts. If I were family, I'd be reporting every one of you who speak this way, who show me they don't give a blessed dog pile about me or my loved one - even if you are doing the work of 12 people and are short-staffed and have the weight of the world upon your slender shoulders. There is a simple thing you can do instead of trying to fight the more or less inevitable "interruptions" by family. You can just ask what the issue is and say you'll take care of it shortly.

Did I say that I actually said this??? No, I did not! and the fact that you are a nurse and you would report another nurse for "perceived" rudeness says alot about you! Ive seen your type, you come into the hospital because a relative is admitted and scrutinize everything but not lifting a finger to help your family member even when you see that the nurse is overworked and overwhelmed. Sometimes a simple statement, as you said seems very easy to say but when you have 6 to 20 patients, ALL with family members (some with nurse family members) that can clearly read the sign...DO NOT INTERUPT MED PASS and they still interupt you. So yes, it does get frustrating! I think eveyone was just venting and that they dont really say these things out loud only in their head. So get off your high horse!!