Practicing mindfulness can lessen workplace anxiety and stress as well as decrease negative thinking. By practicing purposeful engagement in our daily routines and interpersonal relationships, our work can become more meaningful and satisfying. The following article highlights improvements in patient safety when healthcare workers are mindful and focused on delivering quality patient care. Interruptions and Distractions in Health Care: Improved Safety Using Mindfulness
Questions
- The Institute for Safe Medication Practices gave recommendations for eliminating medication mistakes which can also apply to other areas of care. Select two areas that apply to your job, and give examples how you manage to keep that distraction from affecting your work.
- Nurses are supposed to be totally accessible to patients and family members. Do you believe that patients and family members would perceive nurses as neglectful if they frequently utilized No Interruptions Zones (NIZ)?
Discussion Question
This might be a hot topic for some. Personal cell phones are a big part of everyone's life - but do they contribute to distracted patient care? Please weigh in on how cell phones have changed the hospital environment and what might be done to keep them from interfering with patient care. Distracted Nurses
Journal Club is open to all nurses, patient care tech's and surgical tech's. I hope my use of "nurse" and "nursing" in any of the text or articles does not make anyone feel excluded - I work diligently at finding articles and information with broad appeal that will interest all people working in healthcare!
Please send your answers to melissa.luebbe@ctca-hope.com, who promises to take great care to mindfully read your responses.
Journal Club is open to all nurses, patient care tech's and surgical tech's. I hope my use of "nurse" and "nursing" in any of the text or articles does not make anyone feel excluded - I work diligently at finding articles and information with broad appeal that will interest all people working in healthcare!
Please send your answers to melissa.luebbe@ctca-hope.com, who promises to take great care to mindfully read your responses.
I grew up with party lines, one phone in the house, family only called you for emergencies at work , you were allowed to call home once to check on your kids...and monthly we were shown the phone log by our managers and the number and length of calls that you made. It cost the hospital 5 cents per minute on calls just like home.
ReplyDeleteMy younger sister is a human resource director both in a factory and now a private company. They changed their policy to allow cell phones on the factory floor. When she discussed this with me it did make sense. When there was a family emergency the family member would call human resources and if not available it went to voice mail. From there the HR had to find the supervisor who then had to find the pt (break, on the line...) so they changed their policy that they could use their cell phones and this is monitored that it does not affect production, safety...
On the other hand - when my other sister coded and passed away in 2011 I still am angry - yes angry - that 2-3 residents, nurse...were outside her room during the code, on their cell phones and laughing and showing each other stuff. I tried to justify that maybe they were looking up the drugs...but not if you are laughing and sharing. Being on the other side of the bed opens your eyes. Even if you are a patient and the nurse/doctor answers their work phone - am I their number one priority? I do tell patients that I am expecting a call from a physician or if I do have my cell in my pocket because of a family emergency (Mom is sick and do not know if I have to leave ASAP) I inform the patient. I try 99% of the time to excuse myself and walk out of the room. Patients are savvy and know what is going on with other patients. Also - the patient is your number one priority. Patients do understand when you inform them and have to step out. I wonder how much HIPPA is broken when we discuss issues in the room? I caught myself the other day, after 4 calls in a row, thinking it was an emergency, and did not step out. I did apologize to the patient as they are who I am caring for at this time. Pts feel that you are rushed...and they should feel that they are the most important person in the room and you are present with them.
Positive with phones is you have your drug info...at your fingertips but there are many computers for this info. I could go in the elevator, walk down the hall, sit in a meeting and find people on their cell phones looking at Facebook, groceries, news...
When my sister-in-law passed away this December I had to go out of the room and get the nurse (this is ICU) - who was looking at houses on Zillow- and tell him that she needed suctioning - she was on the vent. When she went to the floor - I gave up - I asked for suction catheters from the unit secretary and suctioned her for two days. Yes they were busy but not too busy to be on their phones -and not medical info.
Sorry this is so long but I am a baby boomer so I have a different perspective. Just remember - it could be your family member in that bed and please be present with them.
Hi Pat, Excellent points and thank you for sharing your experiences with healthcare workers with your sister. This highlights how important healthcare workers are perceived while working in "on stage" areas.
DeletePat,
DeleteYou made a very valid point. When you are expecting a call, alert the patient that you have your phone with you and that you may need to take a call. Warn them before you start their care. It lets the patient know that you couldn't choose the time that you need to communicate on the phone, that the call requires you to answer, and that you consider your time with them important enough to forewarn them. I think it also sets the expectation that the call may come and if it doesn't, there is no harm, but if the call does come, the patient expected it. It is the terrible things that happen like what you experienced with your sister that you never forget.
Thanks for sharing Pat. I too am a baby boomer and remember only one phone in the house attached to the wall and there was NO privacy.
DeleteI fell the electronic devices are now just an extension of everyone everywhere. Everything is at your fingertips, it's great to have that information available, but it's also very distracting. It doesn't feel like anyone really listens to anyone anymore especially when they have their faces in their phones most of the time.
Your experience on the other side of health care gives us a totally different perspective of these issues and makes us more aware of how patients may feel. Thanks again for sharing and I'm sorry you had to experience that during a very stressful time.
Out of curiosity Pat, did you happen to speak to the manager about your observations? It would be interesting to know what the PC answer would be to using personal cell phone in your experiences.
DeleteI certainly agree with you Pat, especially when people walk around in public and air their conversations to any one listening, and throw in a few things that you really didn't need to hear. There is a place and time for everything. Cell phones should be used with more discretion.
DeleteHi everyone,
ReplyDeleteWith the use of cell phones, healthcare workers need to be careful when being on their phones during work and in "on stage" areas. I think there needs to be more education to raise awareness of how patients and care givers perceive healthcare workers while on their personal cell phones. I think there could be better guidelines set and enforced, similar to when you see someone not wash their hands, we ask them to kindly wash them. Couldn't this principle be applied to seeing a fellow stakeholder on their personal phone and ask them to kindly put it away, or step away to an "off stage" area? I think the organization as a culture needs to be cultivated to show what is acceptable and not acceptable in regards to personal cell phone use, especially in "on stage" areas. Pat's post exemplifies how negatively personal cell phone use during work impacted her perception of care. We need to continue to be self aware and mindful of our behavior in front of others.
Sarah,
DeleteTo go along with that we need to have all stakeholders respond in one way. We have some Doctors/midlevels that never do SHM and only email. Others that you can only reach them by their cell and you have to text them. Only some have Cortex. I brought this up when we were in the Allscripts sessions concerning the computer charting upgrade. I wonder if they have the handhelds that can text? That would solve many problems. My personal phone is my phone and not my work phone but the lines are blurred in every work setting not just healthcare.
Pat
Sarah,
DeleteI agree that there needs to be more training and education/awareness of how patients, caregivers, AND other coworkers perceive employees on their cell phones. I have been in many meetings with physicians, and upper management and admininstration and they are on their cell phones the entire meeting. It is very distracting. I feel if you must, you should excuse yourself from the meeting and return when you are finished.
Thanks,
Brenda Chiappetta
I agree with there being a need for mindfulness. We should be capable to know when and where to have our cellphone out. If a patient is around "being on stage", our phones should be out of sight. If a patient wants to talk to us, we should put it away. They are the reason we are here.
DeleteRosa Bastean
I come from long-term healthcare originally. In that environment, our cell phones had to remain in our locker or offices depending on where you worked. Using our cell phones in patient care areas resulted in disciplinary action. I felt that this practice made it easier to focus on the patients but at times it was also distracting for example; if you had a sick child at home and were worried that someone was trying to reach you with an update. As nurses, in this environment, we have distractions from our work phones even if we don't have our cell phones within reach. We are expected to have our work phones on our person and answer them whenever possible. I make a point to leave my cell phone and my work phone at my workstation when I am going in to see a patient. I don't want to be distracted from the patients' needs. Unfortunately, in healthcare, there are many distractions, some will always be there and some we can have some control over. For my patients, my phone will not go in the exam room with me, that is the patients' time and I don't want to be distracted or distract the patient. I don't want a patient to feel like I have any priorities over them.
ReplyDeletePatricia,
DeleteGood for you! When I was at Condell a basket went around and they collected all of our work phones during the meeting so we would be present and not be distracted.
Pat
Patricia,
DeleteI agree with that policy and think that it should be enforced not only here and in the healthcare world, but in every situation that an employee is at work. It’s just good business. That should hold true from the bottom of the totem pole all the way up to the top!
Thanks,
Brenda Chiappetta
I couldn't agree more Patricia. Nurses need to put there phones down and focus on there patients. It is very disturbing when I walk around and see people engrossed on there cellphone.
ReplyDeleteCheryl - I couldn't agree more. When you get on the elevator with a pt/visitor what does it look like when you do not say hello or have a good day but are on Facebook on your phone? I see this all the time from many departments. We were built on the Mother Standard of care and this does not reflect our foundation. I know when patients go between sites (Chicago, Atlanta, Philly...) one of the main things I heard patients saying is everyone at MRMC says hello and acknowledges you and is so friendly. Think we are loosing some of that.
DeleteI agree as well! Cell phones are a huge distraction. I think we all have become desensitized by the rudeness in not making eye contact and having a face stuck on the screen. I can say I am guilty at times even in my personal life. Walking down the hallway its quite common to see someone in the phone versus saying hello or acknowledging the person walking past you. This is especially disturbing when it comes to patients or a work place but I can say it is disturbing that it is done to general public, in the grocery store check out, in the drive through, and worst off to our own family members. As much as having direct access to internet for resources in caring for our patients, that is all it should be in the presence of a patient.
DeleteI do not agree that we should have cell phones removed, like they did at Trish Adams previous facility. Keeping my cell phone in my pocket is not a problem as I keep it on vibrate and I do not answer it unless I’m on my break, only In the rare circumstance that a phone call is absolutely urgent, and absolutely never in front of a patient I do not have a landline, I have elderly parents, and would not and will not give up my phone. I am sure that staff with young children would agree. There are always people who are going to abuse policy. There are always people who will place their needs above patient care, unfortunately, but I don’t see this as pervasive behavior in our facility.
ReplyDeleteI understand your response and the need to be contacted easily. We have commitments to family outside of the hospital campus. Also, there is a time and place for reading emails like at lunch. Watching You Tube videos definitely is not done on work time. Distraction with phones is a problem, but as professionals, we should be able to manage the onslaught and temptations of technology.
DeleteMary, I commend you on your responsible use of your smartphone. I agree that we should always have them on silent mode if we insist on having them with us at all times. Unfortunately, I see a many stakeholders who abuse this privilege. The technology is a great way to get important personal information in a timely manner. I only wish that people would refrain from usingtheir smartphones for frivolous purposes. We owe it to our patients to minimize the number of avoidable distractions.
DeleteFor my personal practice, my cell phone is kept at my workstation and not in my pocket during the day. The time I am with the patient is at most 15 - 60 minutes, depending on the purpose of the appointment, and honestly, me knowing something 15 - 60 minutes sooner is not going to significantly change the situation at home. I check my phone in between patients to see if I have any messages or calls, but I have not come across a scenario where knowing something 15 - 20 minutes sooner, made or breaked something going on at home. At the end of the day, you cannot just drop everything and leave work, you have to notify your team and your manager prior to leaving. The few times, something has happened at home, my husband has called my work line, and then at that time, my co-worker will in a way triage the phone call - to pull me out of the room or not - and majority of the time, he is ok with my calling him back when I am able to talk.
ReplyDeleteWhen professionals are publically using their personal phones, I can understand where the patients feel second fiddle or even when we use the phone within the hallways. Our patients are supposed to feel comfortable enough to ask us directions or we may notice that a patient is having difficulty walking/breathing and require help, but if we are head down in our cell phones that observation/openness is not there.
P.S. I am very guilty of walking the halls with head down on my cell phone.
I agree that most things are not that urgent that you have to have your phone on you at all times. I think urging everyone (family) to calling your work line if there is a true emergency is the way to go. Prior to cell phones that was the only way to get a hold of your family at work... worked then why shouldn't it now.
DeleteI use my phone to text my doctor that she is needed in an exam room, I am ready to give her report, her schedule has changed and needs to arrive extra early the next day. She texts when she is leaving a meeting. We communicate by texting without sharing confidential pt information. I do not check my phone around patients, in exam rooms, or at meetings as the focus should strictly be the patient or the meeting facilitator. I am frustrated when a patient takes a call and converses for a while when I am waiting to continue assessing or teaching. So I know how they would feel if the situation was reversed. Be respectful and treat the person you are speaking with as the most important person in the room. As Mary stated above, family emergencies occur and having the cell phone nearby may be crucial. I experienced that last week when my daughter at college needed to be rushed to ER and she called me unsure what to do. It was a miracle I was in the break room and was able to look at my phone & answered. My response being, call 911!!! She is now fine but she needed Mom a that moment. The answer, I see both sides of the question. Donna Krickl
ReplyDeleteI agree Donna, there are 2 sides of the story. Glad Monica was able to reach you in such a crisis and is better now.
DeleteI agree with this Donna. I often communicate with our doctors via text as they do not all have Cortext on their personal phones.
DeleteBeing the age that I am, today's obsession with devices seems excessive and a detriment to our very nature as to how we interact with each other. We may be more connected on a technical level but is the depth and quality of our relationships suffering? When you are engaging with someone in person, how present can you be if you are constantly checking or engaging in 1 or more conversations at the same time? How valued does that make the "live person" feel? I too have an elderly parent that is increasing in needs so that alone is my reason for keeping my phone near my work station but put away in my lunch bag. I check periodically to make sure no one has tried to reach me. I save any calls for my lunch break or if urgent, go to the staff off-stage areas. As far as using the phones for references, that is fine, but I do not do that. I am one of those weird ones who thinks carrying a cell phone in your pocket all day could cause cancer or disrupt your body's natural rhythm....and the germs? Wouldn't you love to swab a phone that has been used all over the hospital and with patients all day? YUK! Oh yeah, I am a germophobe too:-)
ReplyDeleteI keep my cell phone in my pocket on silent. The only time I use it when I'm with a pt is if I need to look a facility up for a patient and need to know where they will have scans or a physician locally, this is extremely convenient and a time saver when you need this information to send to pre cert. I do believe the cell phones can be abused, but we can only hope everyone uses them in a professional manner. The age of technology is with us and we have to find a way to integrate it into our daily work lives without it becoming distracting to patients.
ReplyDeleteHi Laura,
DeleteI agree here. I also keep my phone in my pocket on silent throughout the work day. Being in inpatient, I don't use it to get ahold of physicians, but like you I also look a lot of things up for patients. For instance, how far away the train station is while they wait for a loved one, or the phone number to their CVS in their home city. I find that much easier and quicker than logging into the computer because that can be a waiting game sometimes.
Thanks!
Stephanie
Hi Laura,
Deletecould not agree more, it is personal choice that if we use it wisely or abuse it. And we all are adults we should know better
Thanks!
kinjal
I carry my phone in my pocket but place in a silent mode when with patient. I need my phone to look up some medication information when patients ask me about their medications or even give them additional information. I checked messages when away from patient care. I can agree that it is distracting in front of patient care activities when phones ring loudly. In the high tech society now, cell phones become an important means of communicating with people that most of us feel so lost without them being very handy.
ReplyDeleteThe above post is from Ninfa Bontes. Sorry, I always forget to label my name. Thank you!
DeleteHi Ninfa,
DeleteI also carry my cell phone on silence in my pocket. I think if you are to use your cell phone during patient care for any reason, you should let the patient know what you're doing. As you said it is useful to have if you need to look up medication information. I also will use it for cortexting a doctor if a patient has a question or needs a medication. I am always sure to let the patient know what I'm doing so they don't think I am just randomly texting on my phone.
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteI personally carry my phone on me most of the time while I am at work in case of family emergencies, or to look things up for patients. It is much easier to google a phone number for a pharmacy, or find a distance to a specific business or airport for a patient or family member. Sometimes I use it for a quick medication reference too. However, I am very conscious about who is around when I am using my phone. I feel that being on a cellphone in a professional environment is rude and can sometimes make those that you are providing services for feel neglected or uncomfortable. We care for human beings. Being visibly on a cellphone in our workplace has the potential to break HIPAA laws and also make patients think we do not take our jobs seriously.
I was at a department store the other day and the cashier was finishing a text on her phone before she helped me. She was trying to hide the phone, but it was extremely obvious. Then she asked me in a semi rude tone if I needed anything. I felt very uncomfortable and upset that I had waited there with other customers behind me for her to finish her text before being helped. Should I have said something to her while she was sending the text? It was a strange situation and I would never want my patients to feel that way and sense a lack of professionalism.
Thanks everyone!
Stephanie
Agreed, there is a lack of professionalism and customer service when people are not the priority. It frustrating because you don't want to be "that person" who puts up a stink about the unprofessional behavior.
DeleteTechnology have changes so much in past couple years. world has become digital world and cell phone is like access to that world at your fingertips. that being said I carry my cell phone with me, usually at my desk, as i have kids in care of emergency, some tine we get massage from provider or even team member if they were running late.I also utilize it for resources and also to educate my self. I do not feel having my cell phone distracts me or deviates me form providing competent care to patients. i personally believe that it is up to us if we want to use or misuse technology.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone.
Kinjal
sorry about typos :)
ReplyDeleteCell phones have certainly changed our culture tremendously, and not all for the better! I keep my cell phone close by at work, but not in my pocket. In my opinion, I am getting paid to work, not be on my phone! If I were preoccupied by my phone, then my patient care would suffer,and that's not good. So I try to keep that in mind.
ReplyDeleteLike Stephanie's comment, I was also recently completing a transaction in a store. The item I was purchasing was not heavy, but awkward in size, and on the floor next to the cashier. I put my card away, and then wrangled the item up on top of my cart. Cashier was completely absorbed in her phone. When I looked at her, I said, "I could have used some help", to which she replied, "yeah". And I said, "From you!" Sheesh. Yes, I let the store know...
Yes Jennifer, I seem to get that when I check in with a receptionist for an appointment or hostess at a restaurant.........
DeleteToday cellphones are one of the most important tools of communication that exist. I agree with having them at all times with you, in case of an emergency such as "code silver". It would be amazing to have such early communication to avoid maximum or any damage. I believe that it is key to know to use a cellphone, such as having it in silent and only checking it once or twice during your work period, and if you want/need to communicate with someone do it during your break. I believe that with discipline an equilibrium can be reached. You don't need to answer everybody at all times:
ReplyDelete- you can have a schedule set for calls during your break.
- always keep it in silent
-avoid using/checking your social media or other medias of communication that aren't appropriate in that moment.
Use your common sense, be respectful of the patients and their caregivers, they deserve all your attention when their well-being is in your hands.
It wasn't very long ago that smartphones, texting, etc. didn't exist. I'm sure most or all of us can remember when cellphones were only used as a "phone". I do keep mine on my person at all times while at work. However, it is always on silent mode and I only text, browse during my breaks. If there were a policy against having a smartphone on your person that would be enforced, I would not have a problem with it. I could survive easily if I had to leave it in my locker while at work. I personally believe that patient care and productivity is compromised by stakeholders who are using their smartphones to conduct aspects of their personal life. As a side-note, who doesn't get annoyed by people who fail to put their smartphones in silent mode in certain environments (meetings, libraries, etc.)? Just my two cents. Patient care is our most important priority. There are laws against using smartphones while driving due to the many innocent people who are killed by distracted drivers. Would you feel safe boarding a commercial flight if you knew the pilots were being distracted by their smartphones?
ReplyDeleteOr have any procedure requiring anesthesia knowing how many anesthesiologists use there devices for personal reasons during a case?!?!?! OMG!!!
DeleteWell said John! I couldn't agree more. There is a time and place for personal cell phone use and that time is not while working or providing care to patients! Mistakes/Errors can easily happen when distracted by text, social media, ect.
DeleteI can definitely see your point of view. I almost always carry my phone on me, especially now that I have a family of my own. I would never forgive myself it I missed an emergent call about my son. I understand it is about patient safety at all times, but that doesn't compromise my life. For this reason, I always keep it by my desk.
DeleteDefinitely agree with you John. Our patients deserve our full attention
DeleteJohn, I can relate to your post completely as I to remember when cell phones were not a thing and yet we survived and were able to still communicate with one another. I also have no problems if my phone had to stay in my locker during work hours. That is not to say that you can not check it on your breaks or lunch. And the thought of a plane being flown by distracted pilots is quite frightening. Great post!
DeleteHey John! Great post, and I couldn't agree with you more! Errors and mistakes can and do happen when distracted. Smart phones are the distraction! Focused, patient care should be number one! It's bad enough having to drive around with other drivers texting while driving, but the thought of a pilot being distracted by a personal cell phone while flying a plane is terrifying! Thanks for the great post!
DeleteJohn, I agree with your post as far as if the policy was enforced not to carry a cell phone during work, I would be ok with it. I also agree that a cell phone can distract you during work. However, I do believe that personal cell phone use during work can have benefits.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCell phones…Our best friends or our worst enemies! They can help save a life or destroy a life. Useful in emergent situations; however can interrupt our daily lives whether it be at work or home. Distraction at work, most definitely…for some people more than others. We are here to give our full attention and care to our patients. I believe that no personal cell phones should ever be in the sight of patients or stakeholders. If you need to check your cell phone, go behind closed doors. I would never want a policy set that we are unable to have our cell phones at work though. I have small children and I need to have access to my phone for emergencies.
ReplyDeleteI just posted my response stating that a policy for cell phones may be beneficial but after reading your response I can see where that may not be the case! I think it is an important way to keep in contact with our families while we are work. I think perhaps some people take advantage of having no policy regarding cell phone usage and it hurts the rest of us.
DeleteI agree with Amanda. In case of emergency the cell phone is essential. I think we all need to limit the use while at work to emergent communication or when you are on break/lunch in an area where there is not a patient in your view. I would hate to have a policy which would ban the use entirely. But we all need to be aware of how much we are using our phones.
DeleteCellphones really are our best friends or enemies! The beauty of technology is that we have everything available to look up in our hands but I think we are getting and missing the little things in life. Especially the younger generation; they are not socializing enough and do not know how to interact with others.
DeleteI agree with you Amanda. No personal cell phones should ever be in the sight of patients.
DeleteHi Amanda, I agree that cellphones can be our best friend or our worst enemy. But in my case, I think it's more on the best friend side than the enemy side.
DeleteI agree Amanda...we often talk about the importance of non verbal communication. Using your cell phone in front of others quite often communicates that the phone takes priority over them. It is definitely something that should be accessed "behind the scenes."
Delete
ReplyDeleteI think using cell phones is very controversial. On the one hand useful nursing apps can be used including micromedix, IV compatibility, and calculator. On the other hand how can patients and caregivers be sure nurses are using helpful apps versus social media. I personal believe seeing nurses on their cell phones is very discouraging and distracting. It has made me question whether a nurse would rather be playing a game on their phone or watching a video rather than taking care of me. I think creating no-cell phone zones would be beneficial. Allowing nurses to use their phones in “off-stage” areas like the medication and/or breakroom would still allow patients to use their phones but not directly in front of patients.
Nursing apps are great! I had 2 at one point but I noticed I would look up a lot of things on my time off (not work related)! which was taking up too much of my time and memory space in my phone. We have a lot of resources here at work so I deleted the apps from my phone. Perhaps making the nursing resources a bit more easily accessible would encourage us to use them more.
DeleteI find some of the nursing apps are very beneficial. If these are used in patient areas, we should explain the reason for using our phones. Usually with a quick explanations, patients are more accepting and understanding.
DeleteI am restating I think what everyone has already said...we all need to be respectable, and professional with our cell phones. Be aware and alert when you use them and ask yourself is this appropriate for work time?? I think they should always be allowed to use in case of an emergency or for patient care. I think we need to be aware not to use in the presence of patients unless it is for a professional reason. I have not seen thankfully a stake holder using their phones for personal info in front of a patient however, I have seen stakeholders looking at non professional websites on the laptop or computer. (Zillow/ facebook etc) something else we all need to be aware of....as there is a policy I believe on that one.
ReplyDeleteChris I agree with you and while surfing the internet is a whole other topic it is the same principal. Everything that can be done on our cell phones can also be done on our computers such as research, looking up work related issues, ect. Great point!
DeleteI definitely think if you have something important you're waiting for, having it your pocket on vibrate should be allowed. The cellphones can be very beneficial when looking up something for work, obviously not sitting on Facebook and YouTube. It's very controversial, some people don't believe they should be allowed at all. As someone who has grown up only around technology, I favor in having them around for work purposes and for emergencies.
ReplyDeleteNurses will always find a way to be distracted whether it be from coworkers, work phones, alarms, family members, or cell phones. It is true that cell phones have become an added distraction that can be eliminated or reduced in the work setting. I remember a while back, the hospital was cracking down on cell phone use. If you were seen with your cell phone you were written up. That policy has not been followed as it is common to see managers and administration on their cell phones in work areas also. I’m sure it is hard to tell subordinates to put their phones away if the are using them too. I think it would be a good idea to limit cell phone use to breaktime, work related items such as cortext, and emergencies only.
ReplyDeleteKrista, I totally agree. Many things people have mentioned here being done with personal cell phones are all things I've witnessed management throughout the hospital doing.
DeleteKrista,
DeleteI laughed out loud when you wrote nurses would always find a way to be distracted, it reminded me of when I used to work night shift and all the things we did to stay awake and keep our brains going. I thought a little more about it too. I wonder if part of our need to be distracted is so that we are able to have a bit of respite from what we are surrounded by. Our shifts and patient loads can get a bit intense at times and sometimes I think we need to check out. I agree though, there needs to be a time and a place to check out and use these cell phones. It should not come at the cost of patients safety or quality of care.
Cell phone are so important in today's life. it can be very beneficial for emergency uses. I carry my cellphone at work in my pocket in a silent mode because of my kids .We need to be respectful of our patients and their care giver. no personal calls should be made in the sight of our patients we need to give them our full attention and care , they deserve that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Vilma! We need to give our patients our full attention because that is the reason why we became nurses to take care of the sick and mend to their wounds not be on our cell phones in front of them
Deleteyap, I agree that our patients deserve our full attention. But I also have my cellphone with me in case of emergency but in silent mode.
DeleteUnfortunately for many of us, our life revolves around our Cellphones. I’ll admit I am guilty of this. We have such quick access to emails, photos, messaging, paying bills, internet and social media that we feel like we NEED to keep up when actually we do not. A lot of times we use any available time to “quickly” glance at our phone which ends up being 5 minutes or more, this time could’ve been used working with patients or getting tasks completed. I hardly ever used to carry my phone in my pocket but since becoming a mother it’s always with me. I want to believe that most of our patients would understand if we carry our cellphones in case of an emergency. With that being said we should try to avoid using it in front of patients especially for social media. It just does not look very professional.
ReplyDeleteGreat points! I carry my phone, on vibrate, out of site of patients. I want to know that I am available just in case there is an emergency with my child. Social media and internet surfing on phones should not be done at work.
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DeleteI agree Roxana! It is crazy how much time we can waste away on our phones. There is so much to do on them now; they are not just for calling now. Agreed, keeping it out of patient’s sight is the professional thing to do.
The way that cell phones have changed the hospital environment is the fact that some medical professions utilize it to research (i.e, drug information, disease information, etc) subjects that pertain to their patients or communicate with each other for concerns/orders. While others, not so much. I carry my cell phone in my pocket at all times but only to be used for emergencies. However, I never use my cell phone in front of my patients. In my department, our patients are just coming out of surgery and they need our attention 100% of the time because they can be fine one minute and decline the next. I think an easy solution about cell phones not interfering with patient care is to simply not use one’s cell phone in front of patients. Some patients might take offense if they see their medical profession on their cells phones as oppose to taking care of their wants and needs
ReplyDeleteCell phones should never be used in front of a patient for anything other than something directly related to their care or for an emergency. When away from patients, checking a phone to make sure no one has called or tried to get in contact is fine. Break time would seem the most appropriate time to flip through social media or watch a cute cat video. :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree cell phone should not be used for personal use in front of patients. Patients should feel like they are the top prioriety
DeleteThis is and has been a big pet peeve of mine personally. I used to keep my cell phone in my purse in my locker unless I was on break. My family know how to reach me if there is an emergency as they have my work number. People forget that our work lines work the same way they always have. I think that patients do not feel ignored if they see we are on our work phones as opposed to seeing us on our personal cell phones. I will admit that I now keep my cell phone at my desk top in case of an emergency but it is not in my pocket when I am seeing patients. It would only take one time for something bad to happen to teach us a valuable lesson about using our cell phones while providing patient care or in any nursing setting involving patient care. It could be something that could follow you throughout the rest of your career. I feel the patients should always come first and cell phones should wait until the end of our shifts.
ReplyDeleteI believe cell phone use in the health care setting can present both opportunities and challenges. I think cell phone use is a distraction for the workforce. Whether you are on Facetime during clinic hours, shopping on Amazon, or strolling through Facebook or Instagram-it’s all very distracting. There should be a policy that is enforced regarding cell phone use during work to prevent abuse and overuse. Regulating cell phone use during breaks and lunches sounds practical. Healthcare is all about patient care which requires interaction and direct communication.
ReplyDeleteI think the use of Cell phones in front of the patients have Pros & Cons. I for one leave my Cell phone in my locker all the time, unless I have a very important message I am waiting for. An example a phone call from my physician for an abnormal lab test or pathology result, or an important doctor's appointment that can't wait after work due to time constraint. Cell phone devices can be instrumental as PDR for physicians or calculators. Otherwise I am not an advocate of using cell phone in front of our patients. I agree with Pam K. My family knows that I don't use my cell phone at work, if they need me, they can call at our work number during emergency situations. Even if the intention of the mobile device usage is for the patient, they might misunderstood the purpose. And it is very tempting to browse in the websites if you have it in your pockets. In our facility we are not allowed to use our cell phone at work, it is in our policy.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It could be misinterpreted by patients when nurses are using their cellphone even though you are just answering an important matter. Not a good image for our profession and unsafe.
DeleteTotally agree, perception is everything.
DeleteI feel that cell phones are a big distraction in the work setting. As a patient when I see a healthcare worker on a cell phone it makes me feel that they have something more important to tend to than my well being. With health care costs and co-pays rising the expectation is that we are receiving the care that we are paying for. When I see a healthcare worker on the phone I do not feel that I am getting care that I am paying for.
ReplyDeleteAs an stakeholder I feel that it makes us look unprofessional to our patients when we are on our cell phones. Having the availability of your personal cell phone with you at all times can be very tempting and distracting and YES I do agree that we do need to set some type of boundaries about cell phone use in our facility. What those boundaries would look like I am not sure but I do not want to lose the "human look" and acknowledgement that we give others when we pass them in the hallway.
It's amazing to me that we have allowed phones/technology to control our lives. Anyone that has accidentally left their phone at home knows that you feel like you have lost a limb! Phones and technology are gifts and curses. They can be very helpful but very distracting. I think, as others have stated, cell phones have a time and a place. Using a phone in front of a patient can be perceived as inattentive care. They should only be utilized in non-patient care areas. Eliminating phones during your break time would be excessive. I do find it interesting that cell phone usage policy is for everyone but does not include physicians and administration, I very often see them with phones out.
ReplyDeleteI honestly didn't know we had a cell phone policy. I work from home so not sure how it would be monitored. I do find it interesting that it didn't include MD's and admin. I know some of the CRL's even have their office phones forwarded to their cell phones.
DeleteMy favorite as a night nurse is watching stakeholders on the Leadership team walking in the long corridor from the parking garage with their heads so buried in their phones they do not even acknowledge anyone who passes them.
DeleteCell phones are land lines for most people now, and if you’ve ever lost, broke, or forgotten your cell phone then you know the anxiety that ensues. Cell phones should not be utilized in front of a patient unless you are looking up something for the patient, or taking a phone call you need to take that you have let the patient know prior to doing your patient care.
ReplyDeleteI think if a cell phone policy was fully enforced, it would require a full time person to monitor, and so many staff members would get written up and eventually fired leaving no staff to care for the patients. Or, many people would be sneaking into the bathrooms constantly to check their phones. Where there is a will, there is a way.
We are all adults and should realize that the patient is essentially the one who signs our paychecks... give them the respect, and high level of care that they deserve!
Brenda Chiappetta
When caring for patient's, I try to make them feel like they are my priority. If I bring my cell phone in the room, it's in my pocket out of site and set to vibrate. I don't think the phone should even be a topic of conversation with the patient. If I have an emergency call I am waiting for, I would talk with my coworkers about the situation and ask for their help if I needed to take the call. I think it's all about maintaining a professional front and using good phone etiquette.
ReplyDeleteCell phones are an addiction. How many times have I said or heard others say that they feel naked without their phones. I personally do not carry my phone with me at work or into patient rooms (because I use it for Pandora at my desk, lol). But I find, in my personal life, I am on my phone WAY to much at home. It's a way for me to decompress from a stressful day. I am trying to work on putting my phone away so that my family is my sole priority. I have started taking 20-30 minutes after I walk into my house of locking myself into my room to decompress (facebook, Netflix, Amazon...etc) before being able to enjoy the chaos and attention that a 3 and 4 year old require. I have to say that I am able to really be present and enjoy time with my family after eliminating this need to connect to the rest of the world. In the same way, just like an addiction, at work people may find that they enjoy work more when able to completely focus on the patient's and peers without wondering about the rest of the world.
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ReplyDeleteI personally feel that cell phones are a distraction along with social media. when you are at work it is ok to have your cell phone as long as you follow the rules. The scary aspect of having a cell phone is when you are distracted while driving, a good example is just how much it startles you when you hear it go off while you are driving, you wonder who is calling or texting and what they need, let alone texting them back. when you are at work that is where you should be focused.
ReplyDeleteI ride a motorcycle and am deathly afraid of people using cell phones while driving. I have made it my goal to make a gesture to someone who is using their phone while driving to spread the message of safe driving. If they hit me, say goodbye to Christmas!
DeleteAhh, cellphones, the necessary evil! There is a time and place for everything and direct patients care is not one of them. Right now. I think if you need to have your cell phone for "emergencies", then it should be kept away from patient care areas. I do think as medical technology advances, there will become a more appropriate place for cell phones in healthcare. Just think, if they can already track our heart beat and blood sugar, can you imagine what it will be able to do 10 years from now?
ReplyDeleteSorry, this was Elisa Bryant
DeleteAs what Amanda V. wrote on her blog " cellphones can be our best friend or our worst enemies ". I totally agree that cellphones can contribute to distracted patient care IF used INAPPROPRIATELY. But at the same time, it can be your best friend and may help save a life. Just like most of us, I have my cellphone with me always but in silent or vibrate mode. It is my life-line with my family in case of emergency, but of course I have to be professional & respectful to my patients and never use in front of them. I do believe our patients deserves 100% of our attention especially during patient care times as in our case during recovery from surgery & anesthesia. But I also believe that our respective families should have 100% access to us in case of emergency. In this crazy world and busy medical life we have, no one can really predict what could happen as the day goes on. Emergencies happen anytime, anywhere & everywhere and that simple and personal cellphone with you always could be the only thing that can save your life or the lives of others.
ReplyDeleteAs a final thought, let's all be professional and respectful in regards to the use of our cellphones at work. Do not abuse it or use it inappropriately. Lets face it, cellphones are not going anywhere, it is a tool, a VERY IMPORTANT tool if use the right way, might save your LIFE and the lives of others.
I truly agree with you Alex, that RESPECT and being mindful is the most important thing.
DeleteI agree with you Alex. Cell phones are a tool that we should use in the right way.
DeleteThe fast modernization of the world were living in is somewhat an advantage and disadvantage for all of us. Just like the phone particularly the cell phones that we are using right now have tremendously changed not only in its appearance but as well as in its applications. Nowadays, cell phones are use in so many ways. It can be used to find or research things instantly instead of pulling out a laptop or go to the nearest computer to search for drugs, diseases, or any other things that is unknown to us. The accessibility of cellphones right now has made our lives so much easier to deal with which for me is a big advantage. On the other hand, cell phones can sometimes be a disadvantage in the sense that it can be a cause of distraction for so many. Even if you go all day without touching your cell phone once, just having it visible nearby may distract you from complex tasks. I do believe that smartphones use in healthcare work settings also presents both opportunities and challenges. The benefits could be severely undermined if abuse and overuse of it are not kept in check.
ReplyDeleteCellphones play a huge role in how the hospital environment has changed over the last decade. In our facility cellphone are used as a way of communicating towards physicians and other disciplines in the hospital through the application called “Cortext” which makes it so much easier to communicate important things to the providers and disciplines. There is no denying that cellphones has many advantages but the insidious way personal smartphones divert and fracture our attention has become the biggest challenge and problem. Just like what was said in one article, “if you don’t take work home with you, why is it okay to bring home to work?”
100% agree with Richie.
DeleteThis is such an interesting topic! Personal cell phones are definitely a distraction in patient care. However there are positives and negatives that come from cell phones. Good things would include utilizing for medication or work purposes to enhance information for patient/patient care. As well as if there is an emergency at home, having the cell phone in one’s procession is comforting. Some people are emotionally attached to their phone and for this reason; cell phones can have negative connotations. People may not be considerate of others nearby. Some are obsessed with face book, snap-chat and games on their phones. These are the things that distract and disconnect them from their jobs and surroundings. Cell phones are the biggest distraction to being present. Each of us have had times when we are in a room with lots of people, yet we don’t know what is happening around us and are not present because we are concentrating on our phones.
ReplyDeleteTechnology, cell phones, iPad, etc are now the trends and we are all involved and addicted to it. Mindfulness in using this devices is critical not only for patients, work but even to our family. My experience is not only from the nurses, including doctors. We have a patient who lost her trust to one of the doctor. While the MD is doing physical exam, MD cell phone keeps on ringing, not even in mute. Patient got upset. i tried to explained that it's the lab calling for a result. But the fact that MD left her for a minute, It really bothers the patient.There are advantage and disadvantage. But the focus should be on the patient and the rest can wait. MIND-FULLNESS is the key.
ReplyDeleteThis can be a difficult topic. In the operating room, as a sterile member of the team, my phone is usually near the circulator (RN) or else in my jacket pocket on silent and or vibrate. With that being said, If an emergency of comes up most of our circulators will answer my phone if its needed. Otherwise, my family understands that they have to contact our charge in the case of an emergency, because most of the time I'm unable to answer due to being scrubbed in on a case. At times our circulators have their phones accessible to them, especially during longer cases. At anytime if the sterile team or anesthesia team has a need for the patient, our circulators will automatically drop the phone and attend to our need for the patients!
ReplyDeleteSorry this was Karen Gutierrez
DeleteWorking in surgery can require the ability to multitask in variety in different ways. Communication with the entire surgical team is of utmost importance. Carrying my personal cell phone during working hours allows me to contact surgeons, anesthesiologists , scrub techs, charge nurse, and fellow nurses via texting or phone calls in an extremely timely manner.I am able to walk from surgical department to same day surgery and text the surgeon that I'm bringing the patient to the OR. Using my personal cell phone for this type of communication keeps the entire surgical team informed in an extremely efficient manner.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I love having the ability to get someone in the moment. TO have a number in my own directory. My work phone doesn't even have direct call in capability from an outside line.
DeleteI agree with you Anna. Being able to contact workers is great! Thank you for your input.
DeleteNo one can deny the fact that cellphones have become an essential part of our lives. Working as a healthcare professional I would say it nobody can deny the fact that all of us have our phones always with us. We as professionals have a duty to care for our patients. If I will be the patient I want my nurse’s full attention to me not distracted by using his/her personal cellphone. I find it unsafe if someone providing bedside care is using it. All of us should be mindful in using our cellphones. I would say avoid it If it’s not very important or urgent. But there are instances that cellphones are a tool for us to do things at work efficiently. Examples are communicating with our coworkers or immediate supervisors about issues in the work environment. It’s up for us to judge the situation whether or not we have to use it while at work.
ReplyDeleteYes! Using personal judgement is such a great idea. WE all use our phoens throughout the day. Its a bout when and where!
DeleteI definitely agree with you, being a responsible cellphone user within the healthcare environment would define whether having our phones with us is a distraction or not.
DeleteI believe that smart phones/cell phones should be limited, not only in the work environment, but also in our personal lives.
ReplyDeleteI totally believe that we have an ethical responsibility to our patients we serve to "do no harm". Anything that distracts us from our duty to serve our patients should be re-examined.
My comment for limiting our use of phones in our personal life is because I have an hour ride home and at times I will talk to my wife (hands free) and by the time I come home, we have already talked about the things we talk about at home/dinner table. I feel like there is something lost when we do that.
The other reason I believe that we should limit our use of smart phones is because I know there is a certain amount of radiation the phone emits and we are fine with it emitting it right next to our heart (breast pocket) our genitals (pant pocket) or our stomach (coat pocket).
With environmental carcinogenic factors continually rising, do we really need to keep this radiation emitting phone glued to us at all times? Just sayin'.
I appreciate all the comments and the feelings expressed by others in this discussion. I certainly understand the convenience that cell phones provide, but I also see their detriment to our professionalism. I agree wholeheartedly with those who expressed that employees' personal cell phone use should not be in view of patients and caregivers. There have been multiple comments in this discussion noting how persons felt neglected when they were overlooked by customer service workers who placed a higher priority on texting and using their personal cell phone...imaging how patients and family feel when their nursing care providers are doing the same. And while we all appreciate the value our phones provide to notify us of family emergencies, we need to respect that we may create one for someone else if we use our phones inappropriately.
ReplyDeleteAs many people have said already, I too keep my cell phone at my work station during the day. However, I do not let it prevent me from maintaining my professionalism. Yes, your cell phone can be a huge distraction, but only if you let it be. The patient has to be the main focus while at work. When there is time for a break, then I check my phone to make sure there is nothing that needs my attention.
ReplyDeleteAs for how they have changed the hospital environment, doctors use their cell phones instead of pagers. Doctors give out their personal cell phone numbers for others to get in contact with them. It can be used a tool to quickly look up symptoms, side effects or medications. Once again, if used professionally, cell phones are only a distraction if one allows them to be.
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ReplyDeletePersonal cellphones have distracted our nation. I will watch my man engrossed in random videos all evening while his son is trying to get his attention and using new words. When I point this out to him, he is very responsive and will say something to the tune of, I didn’t even realize I was doing this. The same goes for our professional lives. How many small mistakes have we made with our charting while being distracted by our cellphones? It could be so many, but we may never know. One thing our patients have told me, is that they notice our employees being much less distracted by their phone is the hallways and common areas than their previous hospitals. I wonder if that’s because of the the extraordinary people that work here. We go above and beyond daily. This is just what we do, so I am not surprised that we are more engaging when walking around the hospital. I love the smiling faces of patients I haven’t seen in a while and would be sad if I missed someone because my nose is buried in a phone. However, I am far from a saint. I am as guilty as my man about getting engrossed in a video or an article. The other day, as I was watching the preview for the new queen video, my kid got a urine soaked diaper from the garbage and destroyed in giving me about an hour of clean up, in less than five minutes. I try to be more mindful of my patients and their caregivers. You never know who is watching you! I try and leave my phone out of my pocket and my face up and paying attention. The key word is try!
ReplyDeleteI believe cell phones are a distraction that can lead to errors in care. On the other hand, I like to always be connected in case there is an emergency. Just as in any situation, I believe that there is a difference between use and abuse of this issue. Smart phones have two very different aspects in which they have changed care received in the hospital. Smart phones have enabled enhanced care as there is always an educational tool at our fingertips through the use of apps and information that can be found on the internet. They have also distracted from care as people are easily wrapped up in the social aspect of them and productivity can be lost, and care can be rushed. Smart phones through their use of cameras and other outlets have also been known to compromise patients confidentiality thus further distancing their usefulness in the hospital setting. An extremely important intervention in brining personal cell phone use on the nursing unit to an end is to have a strict policy against cell phone use and for management to model this policy. The article talks about how nurses deny that cell phone use is a distraction however, educating nurses on the errors that have happened and the productivity lost could be a good example for nurses to see that there is evidence to back up this claim.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your discussion of use vs abuse. We are also able to communicate rapidly with providers using secure messaging such as CoreText, which improves the safety of the care environment. The abuse portion is what needs to be addressed from a policy standpoint, with the rationale (lost productivity, safety risk, lack of professionalism) behind it as you mentioned.
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ReplyDeleteWhat did we do when cell phones wasn't invented yet? Back in those ages, we didn't have as much distractions as we have now with the social media. I'm also one of the culprits that carry my cellphone(which I put on mute)in my pocket in case of emergency and try not to have it visible when i'm outside the office and esp. when i'm with our patients. I try to give our patients my 100% attention when i'm talking to them personally or when i'm answering them on the phone in our office.
ReplyDeleteKeeping our cell phones in designated areas like the locker rooms can certainly minimize the distractions. We all use them and rely heavily on them. We definitely need to re-train ourselves to become less dependent of them .
DeleteJessica Mendez
I agree that cell phone is a huge distraction, both in our professional and personal lives. In the generations that are being raised with the level of prevalence we see in our society, there are increasing difficulties with face-to-face communication which I believe will impact the healthcare environment (and all other professional settings) as more of these generations enter the workforce.
ReplyDeleteCell phones are both wonderful tools for healthcare providers (rapid communication amongst the healthcare team via apps like CoreText, an abundance of information that we can use to serve our patients) and detrimental distractions. I would not advocate for removing them completely, but there should be a focus on changing the culture to one that emphasizes patient safety and our professional image when we are with our patients. As others have stated, it would be very difficult to ensure adherence to the cell phone use policy and it may be far more effective to try to change our (collective) mindset.
Cell phones are a huge distraction and not only in the workplace but at home as well. As a society, we have become so dependent on our mobile devices to perform just about any task. In a hospital environment, clinicians now rely on them to perform calculations or reference the latest clinical practice guidelines. Gone are the days where dosages were calculated with paper/pencil. With such dependency comes 24/7 access and connectivity, which in turn creates a host of distractions. Prohibiting their use is not what
ReplyDeleteI recommend,imposing limits or allowing the use outside of patient care areas, is perhaps a more professional and sensitive alternative.
Jessica Mendez
Very good points, Jessica. I hadn't even thought about how we use them proactively to perform calculations and look at dosing guidelines, etc. New technology always seems like it is going to make us better at our jobs, but perhaps these tools are really creating a disconnect between ourselves and human interactions.
DeleteI definitely agree with you that call phones are a big distraction in society. I feel like everywhere you go you see people on their phones all day long, in the car, eating dinner, at work, etc. I also agree that we are all very dependent on our phones. Limiting the use of cell phones in the work place is a great idea so that patient care can be a priority.
DeleteI'm grateful for this article and the statistics it pointed out. It has made me more aware of my cell phone use, as well as cell phone use by other clinicians. I also keep my phone in my workspace like many others have noted. My son is a Type 1 Diabetic, and his continuous glucose monitor sends direct information to my phone through a special app. If he is in a crisis zone, it alerts me. I imagine I could potentially become distracted by my pre-occupation with monitoring my child's health. There are blessings and curses to every type of technology. It can make our lives much easier, yet also makes our human interactions much more difficult. I'm definitely rethinking cell phone use in the healthcare setting now.
ReplyDeleteI agree. We need to use our phones responsibly. They can be advantageous to have as long as they don't become a distraction.
DeleteThere is no doubt that personal cell phone use contributes to distracted patient care. In a 2016 study with Cho and Lee, they found that 46.2% of nursing students used their smartphone at some point during their clinical day, and of those students 24.7% of them reported that they were occasionally distracted by their smartphone during their clinical. The study also found that those who use their smartphone oppose restriction policies, however only 15% of the students were in favor of a smartphone restriction policy within the clinical/hospital setting (Cho & Lee, 2016).
ReplyDeleteI have witnessed how the use of cell phones and the social media that is accessed via that cell phone can be a distraction to everyone. However, I do believe that cell phones have their place, when used appropriately. For example, they are a great pocket reference to look something up for a patient. For example, the Epocrates App is great for looking up medications, checking interactions, and to use for pill identification. The Chemo and Immunotherapy manufacturers offer applications that can be helpful for patient education and side effect management; etc. The biggest problem with cell phone usage, are users who don’t have proper cell phone etiquette and use them as inappropriate times, then causing them to be a distraction rather than a tool or a reference. We need to have the will power to resist using our cell phones for mindless social media browsing, and instead save those times for breaks and before/after work. This way they do not deter from our work or negatively impact patient care. We must never answer our phones while in with a patient and the sounds should always be on silent or vibrate mode, to further eliminate the distraction that they cause. I have seen health care providers step out of patient rooms or meetings to take calls on their cell phones and have also witnessed phones ringing during a patient interaction. In my opinion, this is just unprofessional and disrespectful to our patients and co-workers. If you have small children, get a smart watch or fitness band where calls and texts can be easily read without having to pull a cell phone out. If it is urgent, respectfully excuse yourself so that you can address whatever may be going on. Lastly, only pull your phone out in front of a patient if necessary. For example, I often have patients ask to see photos of my children, and as long as I am comfortable showing the photos and it will not deter from patient care, I am happy to share a photo or two with my patients. We are like family to our patients, and some of them see us more than they see their own families; therefore, I think it is appropriate to share parts of our lives with our patients as they share so much of their lives with us. It helps us to form that caring bond and establish trust with our patients, which according to Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring, is a necessary part of the healing process. As professionals, we need to freshen up on cell phone etiquette and use our phones responsibly and respectfully in the work place! Thank you!
Reference
Cho, S. and Lee, E. (2016). Distraction by smartphone use during clinical practice and opinions about smartphone restriction policies: A cross-sectional descriptive study of nursing students. Nurse Education Today, 5(40). P. 128-133. Retrieved from: https://www-sciencedirect-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/science/article/pii/S0260691716000939
Your so right Sarah, we have taken the cell phones to so many different levels in our daily lives. Theres nothing wrong with sharing your pictures with your patients, and i know pts like it too, because they see another side of us. But when it comes to abusing the system by using your cell phone for pleasure, ie social media,shopping, watching movies at work, that has got to stop.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article and people responses, I believe that cell phones do have a place at work. They can be extremely helpful at times; looking up vital information, calling reps for help with equipment, or facetiming reps, physicians or other healthcare staff. Just today a surgeon in the OR was facetiming with another surgeon at a different location. They were exchanging information and sharing ideas while both were scubbed in for their procedures. I thought this was a great use of smart phones. However, I also realize that they can be a hindrance to providing optimal healthcare. Many times I have seen staff using their phones for social media, shopping, and even gaming while caring for patients. When this happens we lose our focus and attention that should be on our patients. It comes down to using the phone responsibly, which means using it as a tool to help you do your job better. I believe that for some people it is easy to use the phone just for work purposes, but for others it is difficult. We must discipline ourselves to wait for breaks or other times when we are not directly caring for a patient to use our phones. I believe it is alright to check messages, but not when in the presence of the patient or family. I believe if we all try to put the phone down more often we will be able to provide better patient care.
ReplyDeleteI believe cell phone use can contribute to distracted patient care. Anything that takes our minds away from our patients can do that. I know on the night shift most of us have our phones on our work station. The majority of staff are conscious of their usage, but I have seen people play games all night, essentially only putting the phone down to answer a call light or pass a medication. I have had conversations with stakeholders while they continue to be on their phone. It is all about perception. Fun fact to ponder... 2 hours a day on your cell phone playing games, surfing, etc. equates to one full month a year spent/wasted on your cell phone.
ReplyDeleteUse of cellphones within the healthcare environment I believe will always be a distraction, no matter if it is on silent mode or in a locker. As long as you have it with you at work for me you are always expecting of something from it . We users and healthcare providers in my opinion just need to be responsible users to lessen the distractions caused by our mobile devices, therefore we can provide more efficient care to our patients that are only expecting nothing but exceptional care from us
ReplyDeleteI think that phones in the workplace have made nursing just a little bit easier, having programs such as micromedics or other useful apps makes a big difference when you need to have something done asap. Its like putting the tools right at your finger tips. Siri I also great at spelling, pen light is right in the phone. On the down side the nurse has to have discipline not to use work time on social media.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you.
DeleteI absolutely agree with you. With proper discipline on the acceptable use of cell phones during work time, I find them very resourceful.
Delete(Danyel Scharff)
Communication devices connect us all. It has been very useful to everyone especially that you can carry cell phone everywhere.Good if it's on vibrate but when it rings , it becomes a distraction between patients and health care providers in the hospital/clinic setting. If the provider answers the call, the patient will feel bad and less important. My opinion on nurses answering the call in front of a patient is not acceptable. Nurses may excuse themselves and answer the call away from the patient if it was an anticipated call. If it was not an anticipated call, the cell phone should not be with nurses in the first place. If the nurses have the discipline to use their cell phones as reference, it would be a great tool.
ReplyDeleteCell phones in general cause a distraction in any environment, so I do believe that phones in the workplace environment have the potential to cause distraction with patient care. It seems that workplaces have become a lot less strict when it comes to cell phone usage. I know many employees have families and personal situations going on that they may need to check their phone often. Although our cell phones can be great resources while at work, our patients should be our main priority, so we should really be self-conscious of how much time is spent on our phone at work. I think that unless it is an emergency or work-related , employees should try to stay off of their phone as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyones answers and I believe cell phones are a distraction, but i think we need to keep them close by for emergency situations. Everyone needs to continue to focus on patients first and not abuse the resource that your cellphone is when its work time.
ReplyDeleteTo much cell phone time!!! I will not answer my cell phone in a patient's room. It distracts from being present with the patient. I actually get annoyed with our portable phones but, understand other health care staff needing to contact us for care of our patients. However, I feel it is a two way street. Sometimes when I am making rounds patient's are on their cell phone and don't acknowledge that we are there to help participate in their care. It has its advantages of keeping family connected but, distraction from getting the task at hand done. Even Dr's offices have had to post no cell phone use. Other times have proved to be beneficial for having a care giver who is not able to be at the bedside continue to participate in receiving information and instructions. It's a very confusing issue!!! And I can see both sides.
ReplyDeleteI can see the potential for cell phones to be a distraction for some, however, I find mine very useful at times. I have used the flashlight app countless times on nightshift. The source of information is easily accessible. I have often looked up drug information etc. It is convenient and a great quick resource. One just needs to keep in mind "time and place" in restricting themselves to proper use of the cell phone during working hours.
ReplyDelete(Danyel Scharff)
Being mindful is hard to do because we are too busy with our environment and cellphones. Cellphones can be a distraction, but they are helpful. If we are unsure of anything we can look it up. If someone needs to get ahold of us, they can send a txt. We can respond when appropriate. Being in the OR we have to be mindful when the patient goes to sleep. Most patient are nervous or scared, we need to be there to comfort them. There is so much going on from the moment the patient comes in the room to the moment we make incision. There is no time to be on the phone. We might be on the phone while we wait for the patient, but as soon as they are in, we put it away. All attention is on the patient and helping each other to get the procedure going. As long as the work is done, cellphones should be allowed.
ReplyDeleteRosa Bastean
DeleteI think cellphones in the workplace is a controversial topic. In my opinion there are both positive and negative uses to having cellphones on hand. Overall I feel like they are a negative distraction in the workplace. While there are advantages to having calculators, google, cortext, and micromedix at hand, most nurses, myself included, are not using our cell phones for this reason. We are using our cell phones to keep in touch with loved ones, checking social media, and using a lot of other apps that are not nursing related. I myself keep my phone at the workstation and never in my pocket when with patients. Although more attached to my cell than I would like, I still try to limit my time in front of patients and coworkers when not necessary. I think we need to engage more in face to face time than screen time.
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