Why can only nurses call the MD?

[wooh]

I'm sooooo tired of having to call the doctor to clarify things or get orders for other disciplines. The pharmacist doesn't like the order, so I call the MD, have to argue with the MD to get it changed. Radiology doesn't like how an x-ray is ordered, I have to call the MD to get it changed. Or even better, when MDs refuse to call each other. "Dr. x wants this." Dr. Y: "Why?" Me: I don't know. Dr. Y: Well call Dr. x and then call me back.

What sent me over the edge recently. Respiratory therapist wants an order for a breathing treatment. Refuses to call, so I call. Get the order. Hang up. The RT then complains to me about letting the MD order the dose ordered because it's a big dose. IF YOU WANTED A PARTICULAR DOSE THEN YOOOOUUUUU SHOULD HAVE CALLED!

[GilaRRT]

I'm sorry the RT sandbagged on you. I also wanted to clarify that RT's can have misconceptions about RN scope of practice. One thing I see frequently are RT's that believe nurses cannot look at a ventilator. Unfortunately, we are often ignorant about the role of providers other than ourselves, their education, scope of practice and facility policy. As a nurse I had no real idea about the RT role, history or scope of practice. This also applies to physical therapists, radiologic technologists and other providers. I didn't mean to insinuate that misunderstandings were strictly a nurse problem.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Oh, I didn't take it that way. Just all the posts, "That's why I refuse to call!" Well, I agree with them. Stupid me just decided this time not to, and ergh....

I think what annoys me most is having to waste time with all the people that PRESUME that they can just make me call the MD. Ergh...

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

And don't you just love it when everybody from med techs to pharmacy to family members ask you to call the MD because "You're the nurse, so you have more influence with him than I do"? Do we know any MORE jokes??

[wooh, BSN, RN]

[RNGriffin]

I worked for year as a Director of Health Information Management. Nurses would often leave the burden of calling the physician on my department. This was apparently because we(i) provided the physician's training in documentation. I don't miss that aspect of my job at all. But, now I am in a department where nurses hold the burden of clarification, which is our job as we are providing immediate care for the patient. I don't see the point in being an li for other doctors, though.