5 West Nursing

Technology has definitely changed over the years and with that, a change of work style and attitude as well. This in itself would be another discussion we can get into, however, as promised from the first post, we shall explore what we can do to make things better at “our house”, i.e., 5 West. (Check out the recent comment by our good friend Ken, he did strike an important points which we will be discussing below).

As you go through life, you probably already know this fact… there is nothing new. Somehow, somewhere, someone has figured out how to do things efficiently… it’s just a matter of swallowing our pride, finding value in it, and adapting it to our practices.

Here’s a simple system regarding the phones which we did at Community Hospital of San Bernardino, and at Loma Linda University Hospital as well.

First off, all the wireless phones would be at the nurses’ station. This was gathered by the off-going charge nurse (or resource person) before the previous shift was over. All of these phones are counted and fresh batteries installed while the old ones are being charged (see Ken’s post re: keeping ‘em charged)

Then after the crazy reporting period, the clerk picks up assignment sheet and hands them to the charge/resource person so phone numbers can be included in the assignment sheet (this way, everybody had a phone and if one got missing, we have documentation on who had them). A copy of this is also given to the monitor techs so they can call the nurses directly should there be any significant change in the patient’s rhythm.

The charge/resource person would then hand these phones to the individual nurses (kinda like cops being issued their sidearms). The clerk then would write out the assignments on the big white board with the telephone numbers below each nurses’ name. (An added feature at Loma Linda University Hospital would be the nurses’ Polaroid photographs beside their names. This makes it easy for doctors, patients or family members to quickly identify the nurses assigned to their patients).

During the shift whenever a nurse gets a call, it is quickly transferred to the appropriate extension by the clerks since they also have the numbers written on the board. Whenever there is a change in rhythm, monitor techs have direct communication with the nurse.

Thirty minutes before the end of the shift, the charge/resource person calls on each nurse to surrender their phones for accounting. These phones are then counted and fresh batteries installed to get them ready for the next shift. The cycle then repeats itself for the incoming shift.

As you can see, this is a very simple system that could be put in place that would definitely enhance or speed up communication in “our house”, which is probably why MMC bought these phones in the first place. If you recall, improving communication is one of our top goals, and I believe it should be a priority everywhere.

One thing I failed to mention on the previous post “I’m a Wireless Wonder!” (my apologies Ken), is the fact that, when I was waiting for the MD to call me back, my phone number was posted under my name (a habit I picked up from CHSB and LLU Med Center), and that small white board by “Hot Rod’s” office, had my name and phone number on it too.

I suppose that in the rush of things, we revert back to our old ways and do what we’ve been used to doing (that’s me, guilty a charged! ). Just take a look at that old phone above, and compare that with what we have now. Could you imagine what it would be like if we still had those things just because we did not want to change? And just like everything in life, the only thing permanent in this world is CHANGE.