The nurse-call button...

[LauraLiz]

I was just wondering what you all think about the nurse-call buttons in non-emergency cases.

I posted this here because I personally have only used the call button twice (once with each hospital stay) and both times I've been in the hospital I was having a baby. I'm not a nurse yet so I don't have a nurses perspective on this and I am curious!

I never want to use the call button. I feel like it would be annoying and an inconvenience.

When I had my first son the only time I used the call button was because I had to pee soooooooooo bad, and I had waited for a long time cuz I had an epidural and it worked really good and I didn't feel my legs for a long time afterwards and I didn't want a bunch of help going to the bathroom, plus the nurse had told me that she had to be there or something the first time I went to the bathroom. It was 3 1/2 years ago so I don't remember exactly why that was or if she told me why, but I remember she said she had to be there. So I used the call button so she could be there when I went! I mostly could walk by myself then. She seemed ok with my use of it, I was just embaressed to call to go to the bathroom.

The second time I used the call button(different hospital and city and stuff) my second son had been delivered. He was stillborn; I went in for a check cuz he wasn't moving--sure enough no heartbeat or movement at all. Anyways, I used the call button because we were getting ready to leave and we still had the baby with us. I called so they could take him. They had told me earlier that I can have him with me as long as I want and they could take him whenever I wanted. Besides the purely medical things, everything else had pretty much been on my terms while I was there. They were all letting me (nurses and my doc) lead the way with anything 'emotional' So I knew she wasn't going to just come in and take him, and I didn't want to just ask her to take him one of the times she was in the room because then I couldn't really 'say goodbye' So I said my good bye and then pushed the call button. I debated the button for a really long time actually prior to deciding to use it when I was ready. I was confident in my choice to use the button until...another nurse answered the button, not my nurse I had had all day. That nurse seemed a little annoyed, so I felt bad, and I almost wanted to say nevermind, but then I thought she would get really ******..lol So I told her she could take the baby now, and so she wheeled him out. Then like a minute later my nurse came in, and helped us get everything ready to leave and stuff. I wish she was the one that had taken the baby though..would have made me feel better too, just cuz she had been our nurse all day - mine and baby's. Bad timing I guess!

So....the call buttons?? What do you guys think?

Laura

[RNperdiem, RN]

My mom remembers the Labor ward she stayed in in the 1970's.

Yes, it was a ward with rows of beds down the walls, a ward full of women in labor, and the call bell was literally a bell at the bedside.

It was the noisiest place imaginable since the many women didn't hesitate to ring and ring the bells and shout out "nurse, help"!

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I believe most patients don't mis-use their call button, and should use it when they feel they need to use it. If someone is mis-using it, I hope the mis-use can be addressed sooner or later, in a kind, assertive way. I don't think the OP mis-used the call button AT ALL!

I'm sorry about your loss, LauraLiz...may peace be with you!

[LauraLiz]

Wow I totally didn't know I couldn't type the word that it asterisked! I didn't think that was a bad enough word..lol

[shortstuff31117]

I appreciate people using their call button. It gets really annoying when someone just keeps coming to the desk asking for stuff (usually thats a significant other). But also if mom needs something thats what we are there for!

[JeeperN]

Our unit secretary does a great job running interference for us on pt needs. Pt calls out if the IV is beeping, if they're in pain, etc. Then she'll let the RN know. Saves me a trip all the way down the hall since I can take what they need as a I go.

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

I'd much rather them use the button than send a family member out to the desk. WHy? I dont know. Just would.

[LauraLiz]

Well I'm glad to hear they don't seem to be misused. I would have thought the misuse rate would be higher.

[Barkow]

I tend to find that when patients are "misusing" the call bell, it's more a function of them feeling that their needs are not being met overall. As long as you round often enough, let them know approximately when you'll be back next, and constantly make sure they don't need anything, patients don't feel the need to ring out as much. There are certain people who are bound to be obnoxious with it, no matter what you do. Last week, a woman who delivered lady partslly the day before actually rang out to have me put her baby back in the crib, which was right next to her. That was bizarre.

I also agree that I would much rather have patients ring out than send a family member to the desk.

[NurseNora, BSN, RN]

I also would rather have someone use the call bell than sending a visitor out to the desk to ask for something or, worse, wait around while needing something. I tell my patients to please use the call bell; that it is not "a bother" but "job security" for me if my patient needs me. I try to anticipate my patient's needs, but can't do so at all times, so I want her to ask me when she needs something.