No order for indwelling catheter

[Blackcat99]

I work once a week with a patient who has an order for a straight cath to be done every 6 hours. However, the nurses don't want a "wet bed" so they are just leaving the catheter in all the time. Management could care less. I am the "trouble maker" because I remove the indwelling catheter since there is no order for it. Management doesn't want to be bothered and just gets rid of nurses who complain. I need this job. What would you do?

[caliotter3]

I would take the time and call the doctor to obtain the order. If the doctor flat out refuses, I would certainly write that order and document appropriately. Then, I would continue following the doctor's order, whichever it is. If you don't obtain the order, no one else will. What a lousy agency you work for.

[Blackcat99]

Thanks caliotter3. Yes, I am an expert when it comes to finding work at the worst agencies in the state. I only work night shifts at this crummy agency. I am so discouraged. I have been job hunting and can't even seem to get a phone call from anyone else . So how are things going for you? I did leave a note last weekend asking the day shift to please call the doctor and get the order changed. I am hoping that someone did so. If not, I am going to follow the doctor's orders. It will make the other nurses angry but oh well.

[caliotter3]

Leaving a note asking the other nurses to obtain the order will only anger them more. Do it yourself. Of course, no one likes it when the night nurse does what they should do. But then, they don't seem to realize that if they did the necessary tasks, the night nurse would not accentuate the fact that they are not doing their job.

[Blackcat99]

Thanks caliotter3. He goes to a urology clinic that is only open Monday thru Friday day shift hours. I only work weekend night shifts. But I guess I could pretend I didn't know that and I could chart that I tried to call the doctor so it would look as though I at least tried to call the doctor?

[caliotter3]

I don't call the doctor in the middle of the night unless it is an emergency. If I want an order from the doctor and I am on night shift, I call during office hours even though I am not compensated by my employer for doing work on my own time. I would approach this with the intent to resolve it, otherwise it is not worth your time. What would you do if you are the primary nurse and you work night shift? There are no day shift or PM shift nurses. You have to take the time to call during the day, unless your nursing supervisor has expressly exempted you from followup with the doctor. Most supervisors would call the doctor for you (except it seems from your agency), but you still have to communicate with the supervisor during day shift hours. Just my take on this.

[Blackcat99]

Very interesting idea caliotter3. I have never tried calling a patient's doctor unless I am at work. But maybe with this situation I will need to do so in order to get it resolved. Thanks.