pt stays at hospitals

Posts: 3 · Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 3

We recently had a pt who was not medically necessary, she had no IV's, foley, and was competent with cares at the age of 44. This pt's Dr. was more concerned with asking the pt if she was ready to go home then actually telling her that she was going home. The charge nurse asked the Dr. about sending her home because it would cause the Charge nurse to call in another RN for this pt. The Dr. told her that he was letting her stay and that since the RN had made the decision to send the pt home then she should do the discharge papers. What is the next step with this certain problem. Reporting wise, and what should have been said?

Posts: 223 · Joined: 26 Feb 2005 Posts: 223

I'd say that the Charge Nurse needs to accept the situation, and adjust her staffing, even if that means calling in another nurse. If the woman wants to stay, and her insurance will cover an extra day, and the hospital is not crunched for beds, then she's entitled to stay. One huge problem with acute care is that patients often feel they are being pushed out the door before they are ready to go home. So the Doctor was right to stand his/her ground.

But I'm also going to guess that, if this woman did not require that much care, then someone could have taken an extra patient without calling in another nurse. Sometimes, nurses create drama when none is required.