November 11, 2008

Arrival time... 7 a.m. Patients assigned...2.

This week I "uped" the ante. I was assigned two veyr distinct patients, with the same precursor I was provided with last week. One of my patient came in with hyponatremia, he was sent to dialysis early in the morning. He had a peg tube, hep lock to the left arm, on O2 nasal canula 2L, and he had a grouch on his chest for the purpose of dialisis. The other patient came in with Chest pain r/o MI. He had a history of HTN, COPD, emphyzema, parkinson's disease, schizophrenia.. the works. He was incontinent and had mild tremors on both arms as well as O2 nasal canula at 2L.

We all understand the importance of team work and trust, but often times in this field we need to take actions into our own hands. One of the important lessons today was about organization, initiative, and trust. My precursor taught me to do an initial walk in of all the patient's assigned. While in the room introduce yourself and generaly asses the room and anything the patient is being given, wether it's O2, or IV. Then continue until you finish and return to the main desk to gather report. In this case you will be doing not only a double check but you generally have an idea of what the night nurse did before the shift completely transferred.

Sometimes the report is consistent and in depth while other times it lacks substance and thus questions are asked and more inforamtion needs to be digged. In this field you can trust the words of many but always remember to take matters into your own hand especially when it is your role, and your advocacy for the patient.

For all that read.. I dedicate this song for all those workers spending their time boosting and aiding the economy.

Just a song to enjoy while working-------> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJDF9uyDWH4