Staying within your job description

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Sep 11, 2016

Well not every patient needs assistance.They have BRP,which is bathroom privlages.Often you can tell by looking or asking a few questions but I have been a nurse for 38 years and I can easily understand that what a patient can and cannot physically or cognitively accomplish is not always evident.One thing you can try is simply asking them If they have been getting up or are they allowed to get up on the their own.You must however, keep in mind that many patients think they can do it but really can't. The hospital should have a mechanism to identify a fall risk and you need to find out what that is.Also they will also have bed alarms and pads on the floor and be in a low bed. Of course no one wants to wait to relieve themselves but you are correct that that you must contact the nurse and ask if the patient has BRP and if they do not you must be firm and reassure them that someone is on the way to assist them.Remind them if needed that it is for their own safety.

Sour Lemon · Sep 11, 2016

Hello,
I am a patient transporter at a hospital and just finished my first week. I got my CNA license, and I am finishing my pre-reqs for the ADN program but so far I really like the hospital and the job I have currently. I do wish I had more patient care with this job but for a start It is not bad.
I have one issue with the job and I can't really find anyone to help me figure this out. When I bring a patient back into their room, or when I go to pick them up - most of them need to go to the bathroom. Now, at first I didn't know I wasn't allowed to help them into the bathroom - I figured they have to go, I am a CNA, and it's better than them having an accident. Well, I was told by my trainer and by another CNA that transport does not bring patients who need assistance to the restroom. So I said okay, I will call the nurse or CNA if a patient who needs assistance has to go. My problem is, most of my patients will say "I need to go to the bathroom, right now!" I even had one lady almost jump out of bed to go to the restroom while I was reaching for the call light to call the nurse. I feel so helpless telling the patient to "wait while i call the nurse" and half the time they get so annoyed and try to get up anyway because they have to go.
I talked to my supervisor and he said, "just tell them to wait and call the CNA".
So I guess I need to be more firm with the patient when they try to get up? Because almost every patient so far does not want to wait.
Just if anyone has any advice or insight that would be great. Thank you

Why are you still in the room with them? Do you have to "hand them over" or are you just dropping them off and leaving? I would probably provide a stand by assist, if needed, but I wouldn't pull anyone out of bed who wasn't capable of at least that much on their own.

PCsunflower · Sep 11, 2016

I have a "ticket to travel" which basically states their cognitive state, and how much assistance they need (min, max, if they use a walker, weight bearing status), and when I bring them into their room, it is my job to put them back into bed or into a chair. they normally need to go as soon as I sit them on the bed. Or when I come to pick them up, they will say I need to go to the bathroom and I press the call button and tell them I need to get the nurse. It's at this point where I had one lady almost jump out of the bed.

PCsunflower · Sep 11, 2016

And yes all patients at the hospital are treated as fall risks, but those who truly are a fall risk have yellow wrist bands. They are the ones who I am not allowed to assist to the bathroom. The ones who can get up and walk fine by them selves are allowed to go with me there.