Unsure of what happened

[Tepidorchid]

I had recommended a MD order a STAT chest x-ray for a patient who had coorifice crackles after a large epistaxis. The order was written, the x-ray taken, but the radiology staff said "Don't order a STAT chest x-ray".... I never was able to ask them to elaborate... What am I missing here?[/size]

[mazy]

Can't imagine why they would say that, I've never heard of not being able to order a STAT x-ray. What kind of facility do you work in? What are the protocols in your facility? Are all x-rays considered STAT? That sounds strange.

[Nurseinprocess]

If the doctor is the one who put the order in, why would the x-ray technician be telling you not to order stat x-rays?

[Tepidorchid]

I don't know much about the protocols yet, it's my fourth day! I'm overwhelmed... How long does it take you to learn the policies and protocols?

[mazy]

Off the top of my head I can't think of a reason that the radiology staff would tell you what the doc can and cannot order. Maybe it has to do something with the way you are supposed to put the order in or the type of paperwork you need to use.....A stat order is a stat order.

To me it sounds like you made a good call and the doc backed you up.

Definitely something to ask your supervisor about.

Usually when you orient they go over politics and protocols but it's so much information that a lot of it goes over your head.

I just spent two days orienting at a new facility and I can barely remember my name.

Mostly, you pick stuff up as you go along. Unfortunately, for the people who have been there a while some of this stuff gets so routine that they don't realize new staff haven't picked up on it.

It helps to find someone that you feel comfortable with to ask questions, or ask your supervisor, or come on here and throw it out there for discussion.:)

[Tepidorchid]

Thanks for the support mazy

[surferbettycrocker]

just curious---were the epistaxis and coorifice rales related?

[Tepidorchid]

She swallowed a large amount of blood.... literally clots were coming out of her mouth. Dx of thrombocytopenia.

[kids]

Is this an acute care environment or a LTC/SNF/rehab where you were dealing with a bedside xray from a mobile provider?

[Sarah Hay]

That's odd. One morning about 6am a patient on our floor went out of and fell back onto the bed and the charge nurse ordered a stat chest x-ray because the patient never regained consiousness and the pulse and BP were wack. After the x-ray, while the x-ray tech was getting on to the elevator she had a really bad attitude and was like don't ever order a stat x-ray. The charge nurse said when we need it, we need it, sorry you have a job.

[LoveANurse09]

If the doctor is the one who put the order in, why would the x-ray technician be telling you not to order stat x-rays?

Totally agree. The MD is the only one who can ORDER. The only thing I can think of is at my hospital STAT orders are to be done within 1 hr, maybe they knew they wouldn't get there in time and didnt want it to look bad for them?

[Tepidorchid]

Idk, so much seems to be over my head as a newbie... I don't know how to pick up on this assumed knowledge nor were policies explained to me. I print policies and look over them and hope I retain it. I work on a busy med-surg floor.