I know this thread has been done before, but I couldn't find it in a search, so I'm posting a new one.
Last night our small unit was completely 110% full. I say 110% because we managed to squeeze 20 patients into our 16 bed unit. Don't even ask!
At about 1am, we had a patient pass, which was expected. A little while later, bed control called (no surprise). No sooner than the room was cleaned then the ER brought up my next patient, who was completely irate.
Pt-"I was down there waiting all day, I don't understand why it took so long, blabla, that ER bed was so uncomfortable and I HAVE A BAD BACK. NOW MY BACK HURTS!!!" Just really agitated.
Me-"I'm sorry sir, our unit up here is very full and we did everything we could to find you a bed as fast as possible." And I launched into the usual managing up schpiel or whatever you want to call it.
What I really wanted to say (sarcastically), "The only reason you got a bed so quickly is because the guy who was in here an hour ago died! And believe me we did absolutely nothing to keep him alive any longer than he had to be! He just wouldn't die any faster!!"
Instead Mr. Irate is probably going to get a gift card, fruit basket, or something as part of the "service recovery" program since he made it abundantly clear he'd be "talking to the manager" this morning.
RookieRN
4 Posts
"Try aiming for the basin next time you're vomiting."