Hospital policy where I work requires RNs to use 2 patient identifiers (ex-name/birthdate) before med administration.
I was caring for a post-op pt today. Went into room to hang IV abx and push some morphine. I asked her to state her name and her birthdate.
"Why? You're the only one who has ever asked me that." I told her it is required for patient safety. Again-"no one else does it."
Came back later--asked her again for name/birthdate before administering a med.
"You must have a bad memory or you are REALLY slow" is what she said to me.
Does anyone else run into this type of attitude from patients? They act like it's some huge inconvenience or assume the RN is stupid--especially if no one else is doing it.
Any suggestions about how to make this "annoying" identification process any easier on the patients AND me?
Specializes in Acute rehab/geriatrics/cardiac rehab.
i do the same. as i am scanning their bracelet, i say "lets make sure you are still you". they think its how i charge them for the meds.
Yep I do the same thing... I say "Yep, you are still you...just checking to be sure though". Actually, the patients at our facility appreciate it that I check. That way I can also tell if their name band is wearing off since individuals stay at our rehab hospital anywhere from a week to about 3 months....
mom and nurse
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Yep I do the same thing... I say "Yep, you are still you...just checking to be sure though". Actually, the patients at our facility appreciate it that I check. That way I can also tell if their name band is wearing off since individuals stay at our rehab hospital anywhere from a week to about 3 months....