Visitors chasing you down the hallway....

Nurses General Nursing

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I work on a very busy med/surg unit. It is not uncommon to have 8-12 new post surgery patients come to the floor in an 8 hour shift. Recently we have had a lot of trouble finding beds for patients because the entire hospital is full. Everyone runs around busy as can be and we are all stretched to our limit. But visitors are constantly chasing you down the hallway, approaching you as you are getting out all the meds for a certain patient, coming up to the nurses station. Most of the time they approach someone who knows nothing about the patient they are visiting so then you have to not only stop what you're doing but find that nurse so the visitor can talk to the appropriate person. Its also almost always for things that can wait....they come to the nurses station all the time asking for ice chips or another blanket. The other day I was standing at the narc drawer taking out a morphine syringe and counting the ones still left in the drawer and some random lady came up to me and asked me for some towels so her mom could get cleaned up. She could see I was in the middle of something. I told her I couldn't help her right now but I would ask the nurse's aide to get her some towels. A few months ago I had a man whose mother was having a lot of pain and he would come out in the hall, look in all the rooms to find you, and chase you down so he could ask you to get her a pain pill. Then he would stand in the hall with his arms crossed and stare at you wherever you went until you went into her room. I am getting extremely frustrated with this....I cant tell you how many times I've gotten out all the meds for a patient and been about to go into the patient's room and some visitor asks me for a washcloth or a refill for their water pitcher. And we cant leave meds sitting out in the open so im forced to either put them all back in the drawer or carry them around with me and risk dropping them or losing them in the process. Does anyone have any ideas how we could reinforce the use of the call light without being rude? I can understand if its an emergency like so and so cant breathe or someone has to use the bathroom REAL BAD. But there are many times when I want to tell someone to just use the dang call light because I am very busy right now and either the nurse's aide will get to you or I will get to you when I have a free minute. I just have not come up with an effective way of getting this point across without offending anyone.

Specializes in Med/Surg & Hospice & Dialysis.
hopefully those techs are able to assist with the patient's/family needs (ie water, warm blanket, jello) rather than chat on the phone with friends or be on another smoking break or charting...and us nurses still have to pick up the ball! sheesh!

not to say that helping family and patients with the little stuff is out of the question but underlings are hired mainly for this!!!

really? the cna/pcts, the uc, house keepers, nutrion staff, etc are not your underlings. if you treat the support staff in that manner, no wonder they are finding other things with their time. their charting is just as important as any other member of the healthcare team.

:devil::devil::devil::devil:

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Specializes in OB, ER.

I think the biggest answer is prevent the needs. When you first admit them make sure they have blankets, ice, ect. Everytime you go to assess make sure they have what they need. If they have it they won't ask for it! Also explain on admit about the call light and how that is the best way to get ahold of someone. Like many other people have said make sure if a call light is utilized that someone answers it quickly. Patients won't use it if it doesn't get answered!

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Wouldn't it be wonderful if water, ice, linens be available to the visitors without going thru the nurse or extra could be in the rooms. I know, I know, they would walk away. But, I have been on both sides and it is frustrating. Also, wouldn't it be wonderful if every floor had a unit sec.? I have been on floors where there are none and the nurses had to make charts, answer phones, wait on visitors, all the while having 8 patients. My elderly relative had a husband on a cardiac floor with this and she did not drive and if she called the hospital it rang 20 times before someone answered and made her very worried. So, I think it's a problem on both sides.

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Specializes in Emergency, Oncology, Leadership.

Is there any talk of hourly rounding at your facility? Not necessarily by you always but SOMEONE making a pass on your patients to check for these things? There has been a lot of research that patients hit the call lights less and even nurses take less steps if hourly rounding is in place. Also, sounds like your safety team needs to take a serious look at the layout of your medication administration and preparation areas. You should have an interruption free zone or someway to denote you shouldn't be interrupted when passing meds. Everyone deserves your full attention when you are getting their meds!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

I'm really surprised that so many people are offended by the term "underling".

When I get interrupted, I explain that I've got a few urgent needs to take care of, but that I will bring a blanket/ice/etc. as soon as I am able to. Then I make a quick note so that I remember to follow through. I also mention it to the CNA, if I see him/her, so that it can be taken care of faster if they become available before I do.

If a family member appears in another patient's doorway, I make sure that their need is not urgent, then I let them know that I will come talk to them in their room as soon as I am able to.

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I think the word "underling" has a negative connotation for many.

From Merriam Webster:

Definition of UNDERLING

: one who is under the orders of another : subordinate, inferior

I think the "inferior" part bothers people.

I probably wouldn't use that word to describe support staff. I think using it runs the risk of offending someone, and our support staff are the last people I'd want to offend!

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my biggest annoyance is when they come into another patient's room to ask for something. they just walk right in, not knowing what's going on. i could be elbow deep in lady parts and they have no idea. but yet if that happened to their loved one they would be livid. privacy people!!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.
I think the word "underling" has a negative connotation for many.

From Merriam Webster:

I think the "inferior" part bothers people.

I probably wouldn't use that word to describe support staff. I think using it runs the risk of offending someone, and our support staff are the last people I'd want to offend!

"Inferior" can also refer to rank. I guess it's all matter of perception. I've even referred to myself as an underling, on occasion. It actually sounds like an affectionate term to me.

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Specializes in Peds.

Welcome to the world of nursing. I've been a nurse for close to three years and one thing I have learned to be is more assertive. Assertive not aggressive. First, bring this issue up to your unit manager, charge nurse etc and as appropriate. Collectivly decide and enforce how your unit is going to handle harrassing visitors. At the beginning of your shift and when visitors arrive at the bedside of their loved ones, introduce yourself. "I'm Nurse So&So. I'll be looking after the care of you/your ____ along with my CNA ____. Is there anything myself or my CNA can do for you/your___ right now? If they are in need and it can be delegated to assistive personnel let them know who will be helping them. If its in regards to a concern that you are responsible for handling let them know when you will be investing their concern. Upon leaving, place the call bell in the patients hand and tell the loved one when and how it should be used. Tell the loved ones you will be caring for other patients and you will try your best to do rounds of all your patients hourly or so. If the relatives seem sane, show them where they can get water, icechips etc and if appropriate for the patient. That has worked for me. Now if your preping meds for another client and they interupt, listen to their concern and reply to them that as soon as it is reasonably possible you or your CNS will attend to their loved one within 5, 10, 20 or 30 mins. Be honest and frank with them. Most visitors do not realize that there minor concerns can wait. If they continue to "tailgate" you kindly let them know that you do not appreciate their intimidation and have no problem having security escort them out of the facility. It may seem harsh but it works.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatric, Hospice.
"Inferior" can also refer to rank. I guess it's all matter of perception. I've even referred to myself as an underling, on occasion. It actually sounds like an affectionate term to me.

Agreed. People get lost in connotation; logic is lost and common sense isn't all that common. Inferior means below or the opposite of superior. The feet are inferior to the knee. Are the feet offended by this? Are the knees on a high horse because they are 'superior' to the feet?

Of course not.

It is no mystery that aides are 'inferior' to nurses in their position. That does not equate to 'less of a human being'. It's just the job title and duty. They work UNDER the supervision of the nurse. It's very simple. And when something goes awry, who is the one held responsible? The nurse, a she is to supervise and oversee the people working under her and what happens. She/he has more training education and responsibility. Some people are being too sensitive and less logical which is creating a problem.

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The majority of the population is not familiar with how a hospital works: call lights, HIPAA, how to get what you need, etc...I was recently visiting a client who was in the hospital. The person in the other bed had recently been sent down for a CT, and his wife had no idea where he was. She came in the room and started asking my client's nurse questions. The nurse was quite rude explaining she wasn't the woman's husband's nurse. She never offered to find his nurse or try to get her questions answered, she just left the room. The average person has no idea how staffing works; they see someone in scrubs, and they assume they can help. Maybe a sign in the room of some sort? "We are glad you came to visit, your nurse/CNA is _________. If you push the call button near the head of the bed he/she would be happy to help you. If no one responds to your page in _____ min. please approach the desk."

I think this is simply a lack of education rather than people being pushy or overbearing.

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