Nurses whom give overly detailed reports...

[Gr8Dane]

Ideally you have 30 minutes for report, or we do at least, 6:45-7:15. I generally clockin at 18:35 to grab the patient info from the cardexes (Diet, vitals, activities, special notes from doctors, meds, IV site loc/fluids/etc).

I prompty notify the nurse of this and begin report for "updates", "highlights", "Important info". This works 99% of the time, and I feel it's the most effect report that can be given/done as you don't waste time on the nurse giving you outdated info when the cardex should be updated constantly whenever an order is written if the nurse is doing their job properly.

But that 1% likes to give EVERY DETAIL. Sits there and reads everything off the kardex to me (which I already have written down), every med to me (I make sure all meds were signed for prior to begining to report), how many times the patient coughed, their complete history medical and personal, every little detail of the day.

A great report sure, detailed very, but I don't care that the patient ate half an apple with their dinner, or that they coughed a few times when their in for pneumonia.

Am I the bad nurse for wanting to get a good, yet quick report so I may begin my shift or are they the bad nurse for taking over 30 minutes to give report on 6-7 patients.

[HippyGreenPeaceChick]

Everyone gives report with their own distinct style and flair. Is one right and the other wrong. No, not at all. Everyone is different and that makes everything so wonderful.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

Everyone gives report with their own distinct style and flair. Is one right and the other wrong. No, not at all. Everyone is different and that makes everything so wonderful.

You're right. There is no right or wrong in this, as long as the pertinent information gets passed along. I know on the med surg floor I referred to in one of my posts you didn't really the option of a long report like that, bevause all the nurses from the previous shift are out the door like their rear ends are on fire. That leaves the nurses station and call bells unmanned from 715 until we get out of report.

That leaves a lot of patients and families angry because they had been calling for pain meds, IV beeping, ect.

Anne, RNC

[drew9319]

well yall would hate me. my report is short sweet and to tha point. but it is head to toe withe every system covered. it takes about 10-11 minutes a patient.QUOTE]

Well, on the med-surg floor where I work, that would take you 80-88 minutes, and obviously, not gonna fly.

unfortunately thats the way is is done. we do not have a choice in the matter. i usually take longer when turning over to a new rn who has not had the patient before. we try to avoid this be keeping the same group as long as the patient is in the icu. 8 pts. i wouldnt take that long to give report. we could get it done in 15 to 20 mins. as well. i would even have time to tell ya what color toe polish they had on and what times they went to the head.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

unfortunately thats the way is is done. we do not have a choice in the matter. i usually take longer when turning over to a new rn who has not had the patient before. we try to avoid this be keeping the same group as long as the patient is in the icu. 8 pts. i wouldnt take that long to give report. we could get it done in 15 to 20 mins. as well. i would even have time to tell ya what color toe polish they had on and what times they went to the head.

I know different facilities and different managers have different policies about the report process. And if I were in ICU, I would give a different type of report since the patients are in a critical situation, and most times in ICU our patient load was usually 2 to 3 patients each, instead of the med surg which was 10 to 12 each.

And definetly if I am giving report to a new nurse, I will give a more lengthy and/or detailed report for two reasons - for the nurse herself, and also for the patient, to make sure the nurse is aware of things the patient may need during her shift.

Anne, RNC