was i wrong?

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when receiving report is it wrong to question whether certain info was reported to md, i was questioning fairly new nurse about pt. she was giving me as she had spoke to md a few times during her shift about pt. she was also giving conflicting info on pt which had me confused, i was just trying to find out if she had repoted certain labs and tests done during her shift so when i called i wouldn't repeat same things. well she came in the next day very upset and i got reported to nurse manager, i wasn't trying to be harsh on her i just was trying to get info on pt. i feel awful about this.

Hey, we had a patient on my floor who was hypothermic (probably due to a stroke or sepsis...can't quite remember) but that patient had a rectal temp below 96 degrees for a week..... and every time I had that patient, and every time VS were due (Q4H) I called that MD on nights.... 8pm, 12am, 4am. and I got heck every time I called! She said.... I KNOW the temp is low! Im like... OK doc, just wanted to let you know what it was this time.... you order it. Im going to report it. you can yell and scream at me. that's ok. I'll call and report a lab that may or may not have been reported earlier.....if it doesn't have "REPORTED TO ME AT sutch and such a time" on it, or the MD's signature, or an order reflecting that they saw it.... well, to me, that is something I should and can report. CYA the docs may grumble, but that is what they are paid for.

In that sort of situation I will call once or twice and if they're OK with it I'll flat out saying, "Obviously you're aware of this, do you want call parameters?" This alleviates them being snarky, and it eliminates those docs that just don't seem to want to call back sometimes. Saves their nerves too when they have to round the next morning.

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when receiving report is it wrong to question whether certain info was reported to md, i was questioning fairly new nurse about pt. she was giving me as she had spoke to md a few times during her shift about pt. she was also giving conflicting info on pt which had me confused, i was just trying to find out if she had repoted certain labs and tests done during her shift so when i called i wouldn't repeat same things. well she came in the next day very upset and i got reported to nurse manager, i wasn't trying to be harsh on her i just was trying to get info on pt. i feel awful about this.

absolutely NOT wrong to question that. Stuff gets missed ALL the time b/c this question isn't asked enough sometimes!

The thing *I* would do differently, however, is to make absolutely sure you don't sound like you're having an attitiude or are being snarky about it. If you are saying it in a "Just making sure/jovial" way (which I am aware sometimes with certain coworkers that's hard to do), you will minimize the 'hurt feelings' thing.

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Specializes in LTC, office.

Holy buckets, if we start reporting each other every time someone gets their feelings hurt.......

Yes, we should be nice; we learned that in grade school. But questioning another nurse as to whether the MD was notified is just smart nursing. We all have to cover our behinds and nobody wants a crabby doctor who either didn't get notified or notified twice.

I really hope your NM didn't make a big issue. New nurse needs to buck up. In my humble opinion, nurses who don't like questions usually don't have good answers.

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thanks for all the replies, my nm doesn't like me so i have to be very careful, i get in trouble for things other people don't, i think she tolerates me because the only nice thing she has ever said to me was that i'm a good nurse. job market is tough these days! i still love nursing!

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Specializes in Health Information Management.

Wow, you were reported for being "mean" because you tried to clarify whether certain labs had been performed and reported? That's way over the top to me. It seems as though it's much better to verify too often rather than have information on a patient slip through the cracks! I agree with CathyLew - if you can, try to make this into an example for why you need a better information verification system.

By all means, try to better your approach, because we can all use a little improvement - but from the information you've given us, it doesn't seem as though you did anything wrong. When the fuss has died down, maybe you could try to take the nurse aside and explain that you weren't trying to target her personally, but simply attempting to make sure you had correct information about the patient.

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Specializes in LTC.

Its not what you say but How you say it. How was your tone and body language? I ask a ton of questions at report there is nothing wrong with clarifying.

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The purpose of report is to give all info regarding a pt, clarifying is all part of the deal. Can;t count the number of times I've Broken into report-or someone else has stopped me for clarification. I'm sure that she was just feeling overwhelmed...do think that she overreacted by reporting you...

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Specializes in ICU, Float RN , Quality & PI.

No way. Cover your toosh! I always ask if MD was notified. I always ask for pertinent labs for patient. I hate a report that doesnt give me a good pic of my patient and i dont mean give me useless info and long story/ Short sweet but give me Pertinent Info. The only thing you may have done was appear ticked off by her report. You know how you acted if you dont think you came across that way brush it off and just explain to your manger what happened/

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I hope the nurse who reported you, or any of the other nurses, are not aware of your precarious footing with the NM. Try to portray a good front for your coworkers, otherwise your job could go out the window anyway. Never present your back to any of these people if you can help it.

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

I'm mean- in report, in meetings, and most of the time (or so I'm told). And , like you I've been reported for it. I've learned to live with the reputation. The people who most often see me as mean are the ones that I'm constantly having to spend half my shift cleaning up thier messes becaues they were too lazy or too stupid to do an adequate job of care. I have no patience with either option. Did you notify the doctor in charge of the patient is a legitimate question- both to a new grad and to an old grad- I've been burnt too many times to assume they have done thier job. The thinking seems to be:-"Why notify the doctor of a new fever when the BP and HR are fairly stable- they will want labs, cultures, and will order new drugs and proceedures- that is going to cut into my social time. If you don't call the doctor it will be the next shift or the next day before the patient goes septic and crashes- why make work you don't want to do!....." Yes, I am being mean when I ask if someone has done thier job- it makes a lot of people uncomfortable to have thier negligence and lazyness is pointed out. If you end up with a reputation for being mean- at least the patients you care for and the doctors you work with will appriciate and respect you- For me- that is what I'm here for. I have no time to tip-toe around other nurses delicate little feelings so they don't feel bad about themselves when they neglect a patient of do a poor job of care.

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thanks suanna, how does your nm feel about you, i'm there for my pts. not to make friends!

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

I've been asked for my resignation "supportively" since I don't seem to be happy here! Happiness is so much more important than a pesky little thing called high quality patient care. So far I'm considering it.

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