I am a nurse of 2+years at a hospital. I relieved a nurse who told me that a pt needed dressing changes frequently and the day shift nurse previous had given her a similar report. 0800 I assessed the pt to have a dry and intact dressing-documented. (when questioned on this later, I told my director the pt may have had bleeding underneath circumfrential wound, but I didn't see any. I told the pt I would do a better assessment upon dressing change later that same morning) 1045-1100 physical therapy notified me that the dressing was bloody underneath. 1045-1100 dressing was changed by me. The dressing was bloody and soaked through to the pillow directly underneath, clots were formed on the kerlix, and when the dressing was removed the wound dripped blood. 1100 I immediately notified the surgeon, who was upset that lovenox had been given that morning, by night shift, and that it took so long for the nursing staff to report the condition of the incision. I reported to him the information I had been given in report and the condition of the pt and he told me that he wanted the incident written up. I arrive @ work, start care of 6 pts, and get called out for a peer review.
