4 ms·

You're right that silencing alarms is strictly forbidden in anesthetic territory only, not ICU. I'm biased bc I'm in Switzerland, and here the coverage ratio is

by rscho 4y ago

You're right that silencing alarms is strictly forbidden in anesthetic territory only, not ICU. I'm biased bc I'm in Switzerland, and here the coverage ratio is usually 1:1. The country is so rich, that many things are different here... they really are near the patient at all times. To give you an idea: the day COVID really hit, we received 180 shiny new Hamilton respirators complete with additional staff overnight, in an ICU that's usually ~30 beds. And you can't order "your nurses" around, because they've got a lot more power. Yes, in most places it's different and I should have mentioned that.

haldujai 4y ago
I want to clarify two points given the language used in your response: 1. I used the possessive “my” in reference to nursing staff for simplicity in writing and clarity to the reader rather than to indicate ownership, we are on a team. This is akin to saying “my goalkeeper wears Nike soccer cleats”. 2. I do not “order nurses around.” I verbally communicate and leave medical orders in the chart that nurses act on. It is not about a power struggle, we are all trying to do our jobs and do what’s right by the patient. I’m grateful when nurses question my medical orders (as long as it’s a positive/educational discussion, which it is 99% of the time) as they catch my mistakes and we all learn together. If you are concerned that you can’t order nurses around, I strongly suggest reflecting on whether this leadership style is the most conducive to providing quality patient care as this can increase barriers and hostilities in the workplace resulting in communication breakdown and adverse events.
- rscho 4y ago
  Thanks for the lesson, mate. I'll be strongly reflecting over the past 15 years of clinical practice and see the errors in my ways.
- barry-cotter 4y ago
  Any doctor who says they treat nurses as valued professional colleagues should be presumed to be lying unless you have seen it yourself, in person. Doctors treating nurses like shit is the norm, not the exception. How badly varies a lot.

by rscho 4y ago

haldujai 4y ago

I want to clarify two points given the language used in your response: 1. I used the possessive “my” in reference to nursing staff for simplicity in writing and clarity to the reader rather than to indicate ownership, we are on a team. This is akin to saying “my goalkeeper wears Nike soccer cleats”. 2. I do not “order nurses around.” I verbally communicate and leave medical orders in the chart that nurses act on. It is not about a power struggle, we are all trying to do our jobs and do what’s right by the patient. I’m grateful when nurses question my medical orders (as long as it’s a positive/educational discussion, which it is 99% of the time) as they catch my mistakes and we all learn together. If you are concerned that you can’t order nurses around, I strongly suggest reflecting on whether this leadership style is the most conducive to providing quality patient care as this can increase barriers and hostilities in the workplace resulting in communication breakdown and adverse events.

rscho 4y ago
Thanks for the lesson, mate. I'll be strongly reflecting over the past 15 years of clinical practice and see the errors in my ways.
barry-cotter 4y ago
Any doctor who says they treat nurses as valued professional colleagues should be presumed to be lying unless you have seen it yourself, in person. Doctors treating nurses like shit is the norm, not the exception. How badly varies a lot.