report to the ICU

Veteran Nurse · Oct 23, 2005

We call report to all units.

KatieBell · Oct 23, 2005

We call report and then I usually give a bedside update because if theya re going to our ICU's they are monitored and usually on drips so I get to go with them!

ckh23, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2005

I always call when they are going to the unit. I have never had a problem with them NOT taking report because they always want every bit of information on the patient and how they are doing and what was done for them.

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hrtprncss · Oct 23, 2005

Always call when they are going to the unit. I have never had a problem with them NOT taking report because they always want every bit of information on the patient and how they are doing and what was done for them.

They tried changing reports given to us(ICU) to checklist/written report and everyone said no which I completely agree. It should be verbal. But in response to the quote, I wouldn't say "always". The reason why we want to know things that was done in the ER is to avoid having to go through the whole process again. Some patients become irate when you do assesments on them, they say "they asked me this numerous times already down there!". ICU can and will take patients that they don't know anything about, such as post codes from the floor, we ship these patients as fast as we can. But getting alot of info from the ER nurses is a really big help and always appreciated. That's why I think verbal is quite important, it streamlines the process.

gizelda196 · Oct 23, 2005

Thank you all. The reason I had posted this was because the other night I had an er nurse tell me that "We don't give report anymore" well this was news to me that an ER nurse doesn't give an ICU nurse report on a critical patient. In fact she told me to read the notes from the MD and other nurses in the computer, then she spent more time arguing with me that this was policy and then when I wouldn't bend she gave me the most abrupt rude report that was unprofessional and did a disservice to the patient ( who BTW did not fit the description of the MD or nurse by their notes) So I hauled off a letter to management stating I would not participate in this policy that it was unsafe practice and a disaster waiting to happen. Now I am just trying to gather a sense if this is going on elsewhere . I believe they have started this new way of reporting to the med surg units. but I do not think that critical areas should be doing this. Can you imagine getting an in house code and the nurse saying just read report and call me with questions. It just shouldnt happen this way. thanks again

shadowflightnurse · Oct 24, 2005

Where I work, we use a written form report that we fax to the floors. We do call report on all ICU admits. I have worked at one hospital that the policy on ICU admits was you could fax or call, but if you tried to call (either the floor or the units) and they couldn't/wouldn't take report within 15 min we took the patient to the room and gave a bedside report. Talk about causing bad blood between departments!

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Oct 25, 2005

Personally, I love giving report to ICU nurses. As a general rule, they are more autonomous and do not need to be spoon fed like a lot of floors. For instance, they do not need a head to toe assessment recited to them... they just want the abnormal findings and the rest they will get from their own assessment.

But back to the subject, yes we always call report and as others have stated, give updates at the bedside during transfer.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Oct 25, 2005

As a general rule, they are more autonomous and do not need to be spoon fed like a lot of floors. For instance, they do not need a head to toe assessment recited to them... they just want the abnormal findings and the rest they will get from their own assessment

As a general rule? Maybe where you are from, not here. I am a PCU nurse and I actually don't like the head to toe report from any nurse-you're right, I may not be an ICU nurse, but i'll do my own assessment, thank you. Just tell me whats abnormal.

Please don't assume that we want to be spoon fed b/c we aren't ICU.

PS-ER gives us a verbal report over the phone. Most are great.

blueinplaid · Oct 25, 2005

We fax report to the floors and give bedside report to ICU. I also have found that I'm not asked what gauge the IV is and if it is on the R or L arm when I give report to ICU. That has to do with the nurse, not the floor.

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Oct 25, 2005

As a general rule? Maybe where you are from, not here. I am a PCU nurse and I actually don't like the head to toe report from any nurse-you're right, I may not be an ICU nurse, but i'll do my own assessment, thank you. Just tell me whats abnormal.
Please don't assume that we want to be spoon fed b/c we aren't ICU.
PS-ER gives us a verbal report over the phone. Most are great.

Hmmm...believe I said "as a general rule" and "a lot of floors".... just going on my 10 yrs here...."USUALLY" it's the floor nurses that take most of my time having to give lengthy reports. And I am from many places....worked all over the country.

Goodness knows, didn't mean to offend but I guess that impossible sometimes... :rolleyes:

Aneroo, LPN · Oct 27, 2005

I call report on ICU patients. If they're going to an ICU, I don't have the time to fill out a report sheet- I want to call report and get them outta here!

We are required to fill out report sheets for certain floors- one in particular. The charge RN will not accept a patient to that floor if they do not receive a fax report. I try to call and check to see if the RN received the sheet, and if they have any questions regarding the patient.

-Andrea