sharksgal

When the ED doc hands me the phone I very politely say, "Dr____, please hold while I get the nurse." and promptly transfer the call to the floor. (I just need to make sure I know which floor :]) Works about 99% of the time. Bonus is that the floor now knows they're getting a patient and what has been ordered.

Of course there are twelve sides to every story...especially the report story...however I believe this thread-posted in emergency forum-was to be about best and worst excuses. I believe it is way off topic now. BUT really...it's not about the length of time needed to give/take report. It's about the impending transfer of the patient. I gave report yesterday to a floor nurse who said...can you give me about ten minutes before you send the patient up...and I said no problem. Then when we get to the floor...the nurse is receiving a back rub at the desk. Funny thing is...I had just told the patient that we waited to move him even though he'd been in ER on very uncomfortable cart for 8+ hours---b/c the floor was very busy.

debanam--I can totally relate I was called to respond to a patient complaint...22 y/o M was MAD b/c I gave him a towel and had him clean his own feet!! Are you kidding me....to the office for that???? Tonaight: Triaged a 38 yo F (that looked 58) for abd pain, the smell of stale cigarettes filled the air. She coughed several times during triage and at the end stated, "Yeah and I've had this cough on and off for a few years...I'm not sure what it is....I think I may have a sinus problem." I just smiled and said....yeah I bet that's it!

We're anticipating Joint commission....while preparing our NM stated that we have been giving "to-go" meds incorrectly. We have been told that nurses cannot hand over the to-go meds to the patients as this is dispensing and only MD's and RPh can do this. Working 7p-7a in a rural community with no open pharmacies after 9pm...we give a lot of these. Does anyone have experience with this? Looking for other p/p on to go meds....thanks!

If only all our ERs could be in this perfect world of harmony between visitors and staff.... But back to reality..."excuse me, pardon me, I'm just trying to reach the Lifepak and the hands-free paddles, I hope you don't mind if I step in and try to save your loved one"

OMG should be sleeping but had to read all the posts...laughed so hard...thanks guys! Just can't wait to see all these visitors for another 12hrs tomorrow. :)

Reality can be so much scarier than fiction!! Laugh or DIE that's my theory.