Radiology tech: "this patient has q0600 portable chest X-rays part of his old ICU order set. They normally DC these but they didn't DC his. Do I really need to do this?"
#2:
Me, to a different radiology tech: "we just discovered he might have foot fractures and I'm putting in orders right this exact second. Do you mind grabbing images of his feet while you're here?"
Rad tech: "the order wasn't already in so your, have to get that later."
Me: "the order is in right now."
Rad tech: "no."
Two seconds later, does the images anyway, because she realized it meant she'd have to come all the way upstairs again.
#3:
Respiratory: "Earlier MD asked for a different patient to have ABGs done at 0800" (after RT's shift would be over) "so we can just do this patient's in a few hours, too, right?"
#4:
Lab, after walking the whole unit to find me: "that patient has a PICC, why can't you draw her?"
Me: "I don't have orders saying I can."
Lab: "I saw her get drawn off that line last week, you need to draw her."
Me: "her line isn't being used for labs. I don't have an order saying it can be. I CAN'T use it. You need to draw her."
If it weren't the same people trying to get out of their orders every time, I'd figure they were just confirming things, but I am absolutely convinced they're trying to get out of doing their job, and they're trying to get the RN's "okay" so they can pass the buck to us, I am so done with this! If they want to questions orders, they should call the people writing them. :\
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uiTEbFUcZo&feature=youtu.be , Well let me just walk you though what the lab is like from our perspective, and you will see we both want the same thing (lab techs and nurses ) we aren't trying to be lazy . Most of the time we just want to get back to the lab so we can continue the work that is going on there which nurses do not understand . If a patient has a port and there are 5 nurses sitting at the nurses station doing pretty much noting and we ask you to draw a guy from his port, it's because we want to be efficient, get back to the lab so we can keep turn around times low .
We are not supposed to use PICCS for line draws for multiple reasons, but the biggest one is CLABSI. PICC lines are supposed to be closed systems. Only accessed if absolutely necessary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uiTEbFUcZo&feature=youtu.be , Well let me just walk you though what the lab is like from our perspective, and you will see we both want the same thing (lab techs and nurses ) we aren't trying to be lazy . Most of the time we just want to get back to the lab so we can continue the work that is going on there which nurses do not understand . If a patient has a port and there are 5 nurses sitting at the nurses station doing pretty much noting and we ask you to draw a guy from his port, it's because we want to be efficient, get back to the lab so we can keep turn around times low .
I watched the video. Sorry, you're probably not going to get many accolades here.
You lost me shortly after you stated the nurse "spewed BS" ...
I had a CT tech totally rub me the wrong way the other day. I had a patient complaining of migraine come in and left sided weakness. The physician ordered a head CT to R/O stroke. I was sticking the patient for an IV and labs before CT shows up, because they are normally quick and I want to get the blood going and check a glucose ASAP to make sure that's not what was causing the symptoms. The patient had literally been in the ED room for 10 minutes, CT shows up and says; "You know, when you know the doctor is going to order a head CT you should take these clips out of their hair and their earrings out." I said; "I'm sorry, I was busy doing my job of starting the patients IV. Would you like me to take the clips and earrings out next time and you can stick the patient for an IV and labs over in CT before you bring her back?" She left me alone after that.
Housekeeping is a tough job, yes, but it is so important that they don't skimp on their responsibilities. I hate seeing posts like these where EVS was too lazy or didn't care enough to do a good job. It can be a thankless job at times, but also one that you can get a lot of satisfaction out of it you just do a good job. I used to work in a hospital as EVS and then linen, and I always tried to do my very best and take pride in my work. It's unfortunate that not everyone feels the need to do that though, because it gives the ones that do go above and beyond a bad rep. I will say I was always super appreciative if the nurses or aides took time out of their busy schedules to empty trash or soiled linen, and especially if they stripped the bed and cleared some of the stuff out of the room after a discharge. Thank you for doing that for your EVS crew!
One place that I worked at, when transferring/discharging a patient, the nurses were supposed to rush back from the transfer quickly so that they could strip the bed linens before housekeeping got there. If housekeeping got to the room before you stripped the bed, they would be pissed. They'd come to the nurses station and ask who was gonna strip the bed so that they could clean.
The "rationale" was because they simply didnt have time, so the nurses needed to help them. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to if I have the time....but its not justified to be mad when I didn't sprint back to the floor and skip finishing my discharge charting to strip the bed linens.
Same in places that I've worked. One place that I worked at, when transferring/discharging a patient, the nurses were supposed to rush back from the transfer quickly so that they could strip the bed linens before housekeeping got there. If housekeeping got to the room before you stripped the bed, they would be pissed. They'd come to the nurses station and ask who was gonna strip the bed so that they could clean.
The "rationale" was because they simply didnt have time, so the nurses needed to help them.
It doesn't work that way in my region. If I am not busy, I will clear the junk and clutter and iv bags and get rid of the linen. If we need the bed urgently they do it all. It sounds like housekeeping is running the show or they need to hire more housekeepers. Get the policy and bring it up in a staff meeting as an efficiency and infection control issue.
It doesn't work that way in my region. If I am not busy, I will clear the junk and clutter and iv bags and get rid of the linen. If we need the bed urgently they do it all. It sounds like housekeeping is running the show or they need to hire more housekeepers. Get the policy and bring it up in a staff meeting as an efficiency and infection control issue.
If I hadn't moved on and become a traveler I would take your advice! :)
I'm probably going to get CAPS LOCKED for this but as someone that has been a phlebo/lab tech, current PCT, and current nursing student, I can tell you there's usually two sides to the story. I know a LOT of lab techs can be lazy. Some used to throw labels away to avoid drawing patients, scary!! However, sometimes when things are cancelled, it's because we can see that one doc just ordered troponin x3 q6 and another doctor ordered the same and you may not have your results just yet or be able to check those orders just yet. That means the patient is getting drawn constantly for no reason when each just wanted a trop level q6. Or when a doc orders something within another test...like a potassium at 1430 that is w/in the CMP due at 1445...so a lot of times our "laziness" IS trying to spare our self extra work but also trying to save the patient unnecessary sticks. Same with the PICC, we'll hunt you down because usually someone with a PICC means their veins are crap. BUT on the other side being in nursing I now see drawing from that PICC can slow a nurse down that is in the middle of passing meds and lab techs don't always realize all the things nurses do. I really didn't until I saw both sides. Lab techs also don't always realize how important some of those draws are to be ON TIME like vanco trough. I swear the lab should make the techs shadow a nurse for a few hours and vice versa so they each understand the schedules. Lab techs will see a nurse sitting at the station and complain they couldn't help but little do they know they're charting their assessments, etc.
One place that I worked at, when transferring/discharging a patient, the nurses were supposed to rush back from the transfer quickly so that they could strip the bed linens before housekeeping got there. If housekeeping got to the room before you stripped the bed, they would be pissed. They'd come to the nurses station and ask who was gonna strip the bed so that they could clean.
The "rationale" was because they simply didnt have time, so the nurses needed to help them. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to if I have the time....but its not justified to be mad when I didn't sprint back to the floor and skip finishing my discharge charting to strip the bed linens.
I completely agree. It's not justified for them to be mad about it at all because it is their job. I just meant I was thankful whenever the nurses or aides did do that for me, but I never expected them to and certainly was never angry with anyone for not doing it.
MikeT1
1 Post