On numerous occasions, I've observed nurses playing music from their computers. Some of them are managers, which doesn't necessarily concern me since they aren't directly caring for patients. However, the other night, I noticed an ICU nurse playing music. The patient they were monitoring was obviously severely ill...on ECMO, CRRT, ventilator, many drips, tube feedings, etc. This did not seem safe to me, as music can be a distraction and with very critical patients, you need to be on top of all things at all times. What are your thoughts?
I had a patient whos family played drum and bass all the time while he was ventilated because he loved the music. I wanted to cry, that did my head in.
When one on one with a sedated ICU patient, I see no problem with music or having the TV on. I did it, we all survived. I would not subject my music to other co-workers.
As long as the patient doesn't mind, and it's not loud enough that the nurse can't hear alarms or that it's disruptive to the unit, I don't see the harm. I work on day shift in the ICU and while I personally don't play music (usually hard to hear it over the hustle of the floor on days anyway), some nurses will occasionally play music softly at the nurses station or their computers. I know it happens much more on nights.
Some people find music distracting, while others (like myself) find a little background music helps concentration. So really, it depends on the nurse. Plus, there are a lot of studies that show music therapy can actually be beneficial to patients!
No. I hate and despise having to put up with other people's music at work. I don't want the hassle of having to tell a coworker that their music is to loud or distracting and end up looking like a kill joy. If you must have music on use headphones- just in one ear if you must.
If you are listening to music to avoid falling asleep get up and clean or restock or if you can't leave the bedside do something for your patient.
Whoa, there. That's only to be played in desperate times, such as when the fart CD is not available. It's an acceptable substitute-- but it's a dangerous substitute-- as John Denver has been known to induce seizure, coma and death.
If it doesn't bother the patients, you're not wearing headphones to tune out everybody else, and it's not distracting your concentration, sure, go ahead.
bikegirl
20 Posts
WHAT?!?!?! No Stockhausen? No Crumb?!?! Oh lordy, you should have heard me laughing (out loud) when I read that....
I guess that includes Flipper, Joy Division , and Schoenberg in that ban :-)