Reporting off

Report will be significantly different. It will be much faster and depending on the patient not very detailed as might be on the floor. Report usually consists of why they are there, what they are waiting for, and anything they may need. Report should be short sweet and to the point. As far as assessment goes, it will usually be focused on abnormal findings so don't expect to get the whole systems report.

Also, Code status, where their I.V. is, what tests they have scheduled (might indicate that you need a larger I.V.) what tests they still need done, where their fluids are ie. bolus then 125/hr of normal saline, is there someone to contact when they are assigned a room, what pain meds they have had, abnormal labs, allergies...most is still the same.

Much less painful than the floors just don't leave a long list of pt needs and you'll be ok...

Pt needs a foley, a second IV, and then their ABX's started but then they are ready to go to ICU...lol

All I need to know is:

Why they're here.

How their vitals have been (stable vs. unstable).

What the plan is (admit, discharge).

Anything they need done (abx, second line, 3rd nitro, etc.)

Everything else I can figure out myself as I assess the patient.

ITA of previous post.

Short and sweet. I only expect a full report if it's an inpatient that is waiting for a bed. And really, all I need to know is if all the meds have been passed, who is the inpt doc, IV site, fluids going, abnormal labs, and bed assignment if any.

So glad you asked this! I am a new grad starting my orientation in ER soon and was wondering about this as well. :)

Thank you all for your responses. It was very helpful. Is there any system that you use as a report sheet?? I know I had one system on the floor but I'm sure it would be different since you could have like 15 diff patients throughout the day

Remember that you're not actually handing off all the patients you see in a day -- some will be discharged.

For patients who are admitted and get beds while you're caring for them, you'll give report to the inpatient nurse according to your hospital's protocol.

For patients who are still there at the end of your shift and will have their care assumed by another ER nurse while they wait for disposition ... generally report is very short & sweet, somewhat more in depth for a patient known to be critical.

Ditto Fribblet, but I also like to hear what their systems specific assessment was for that RN...

like if they are here for abdominal pain- that their abdomen is soft, nondistended with active bowel sounds or if they are here for shortness of breath what their lungs sounded like, etc

You also better tell me if they are less than A&O x3 and if thats normal for them.

Complaint Specific labs that were off- like what the BNP was for the CHFer or if they have crazy high white count

okay all good to know.. It's definitely going to take some getting used to from the floor.