Taking ownership of pts

[newrnltc]

Need to vent. I work in recovery in a teaching hospital. Every few months a new round of fellows and crnas come through. The most recent batch seems to be a little sloppy. For example one transferred a pt w/ESRD, right arm fistula. Had the bp cuff on the right arm. I pointed it out to him and he said "oh oops. owell its okay". I then pointed out the bright pink arm precaution band on her arm that states "NO IV/NO BP". He then raised his voiced and said "so what do you want me to do??" and stomped off. I wanted him to keep in mind and be more careful next time. If it was his family member I'm sure he would raise a big stink about compromising this pts life line. Another colleague dropped off a pt that was dry heaving, retching and remarked "I had no time to give zofran" . Really? Takes under 2 min. And another dropped off pt w/gown soaked thru in stool. "We had no time to clean her, Ineed to start the next case". Really? Pts are not just a paycheck/number. We are a team but take ownership of your pts. Am I over reacting?

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

You are not over reacting. I used to try to be "Miss Go-Along-To-Get-Along" but recently I've taken a harder line, particularly when patient safety is clearly compromised. If I have a conversation with someone and they do not take ownership, responsibility, or a mature attitude to understanding the problem/concern I am raising in an honest attempt to improve their practice from it I will write them up. Although I don't want to be "that" nurse who is always writing up colleagues, I am also sick of being blown off when I raise valid concerns about how our patient is being treated.

If it's a non-medical issue, like poop or pee, it is merely frustrating that they see us as someone who can clean up their mess. But, if the patient's wellbeing is truly compromised by their lax attitude then, yup, "Miss Write-Them-Up" starts typing!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I get the impression those docs want to deal with lab and other reports and not the patient

[ICURN3020]

I have found in my hospital that as soon as the ER or transferring floor (I'm in the ICU) receives either transfer orders or a bed assignment, they stop taking an interest in the pt and push everything off to the receiving nurse. They don't notify the physician of critical labs, clean the pt up if soiled, etc because they know I'll be stuck doing it when the pt gets to me. The other night the ER brought me a pt and I happened to be in my other pt's room when they arrived. No one notified me the pt was here and the ER nurse just left the pt in the room without notifying anyone. The pt wasn't even placed on the monitor!! This is unacceptable for an ICU pt!!!! I wish people would take more accountability for the pt's in their care.