Quick handoff

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi,

Asking for advice. I’m a new RN and I work in a surgical specialty clinic. Sometimes we have patients that the doctors wants to admit for further management of infections or pain control.  How should I go about my handout to the admitting nurse. Usually what I start with is -  Pt’s history then I say the  reason for admission, any allergies, code status, mobility, alertness then I go for meds, labs, or any imaging that are that are given and what are pending. 
Any thing I should add to make it better?

Thank you. 

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I would find a "nursing brain" cheat sheet that many nurses use when taking report. That usually lays out exactly what they're looking for in an handoff report. Although what you laid out seems like a very reasonable place to start. I would make sure to add IV access and whether patient is requiring any oxygen currently and at their baseline. 

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I don't have much to add other than IV access, and then at times it's helpful to know if they have a support person with them or waiting. There's been a few times I've been told no one waiting and then to my surprise someone shows up looking for an update. I work NOCs so it's tough to kick them out quickly especially when the visitor thinks they are an exception to visiting hours.

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Thank you guys for the replies. ?

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