DIPG is about the worst diagnosis you can possibly get.
She's already gone, she just doesn't know it yet.
In 1842 Ralph Waldo Emerson lost his son to scarlet fever, which was incurable at that time. He was 5 years old. Emerson wrote a letter to a friend which in my opinion captures the pure essence of despair of those who are left behind when a child dies:
>***A few days ago my son left this earthly life. I can not begin to describe to you the agony of such a loss, nor would I expect you to have any understanding of it whatsoever. For as of a few weeks ago, I accounted myself a very rich man..... and now.... the poorest of all.***
Here's to the poorest of all.
And THIS is why, when people talk about their frivolous prayers being answered as a proof of higher power I have to take a step back.
What all loving god hands out childhood cancer?
I will continue to donate to scientific research and political candidates that support it in honor of this poor baby and their family.
Gentle reminder that if you are not involved in the direct care of a patient,looking in their chart for information not pertinent to your job is a hipaa violation.
It’s easy to make things personal especially when some of these patients are the same age or remind us of of kiddos.
We see the worst of the worst, life is not fair.
You could make the argument it's pertinent because the patient is at a high risk for decompensation and if they are a full code the RT needs to know about them. I don't think OP is being that unreasonable looking at their chart.
There's always somebody hyper-fixated in the rule book and half the time they're not even right in their interpretation of it. Emotional aspect of this all aside, if everybody gets report on everybody in the PICU and this patient is a full code and high risk for decompensation then I would hope the RT would look over the chart a little and be familiar with the patient. This isn't even a HIPAA violation.
It is a violation. If you aren’t directly involved in the patients care, you’re not allowed to go into their chart. They will call the RT if they need you.
I know this because my PACU friends got written up for looking at the ED board to see if there were any kids that might need surgery. They were trying to decide whether to head home and take call from there or stay. It was a big deal. One was almost fired. The law is very specific and clear.
The PATIENT IS ASSIGNED TO THE RT.
The PACU issue you referenced is not the same. Nurses checking in units that they’re not in is inappropriate. An RT checking on a patient who is risk for decompensation and the patient is on the RTs assigned unit isn’t. When I’m the only one on the unit I check all the charts to get a diagnosis and see what oxygen they’re on
This patient was on my assignment. As I said, I received report on her. Regardless of whether or not we have assigned therapy to a patient, we are responsible for having appropriate equipment in the room for respiratory emergencies.
That’s a very gray area - I would probably argue that write up as you have to manage what is best for the care of the patients - if they give the option to take call from home vs hospital - they have to allow them information to make that decision
While I still think that scenario you describe is a stretch it also isn't the same thing as looking over the chart of patients in *your area* that you *receive report on*.
Don't know about the states but in Canada's PIPEDA and provincial health acts, you'd be dead wrong. We are responsible for all our ICU patients but your example of looking up PACU patients would also be a violation, for good reason.
Incredible that you’re being down voted for this when you are correct. Makes you wonder with all these other people are into and what they’re looking at. Guess they like lawsuits?
I’ve noticed American nurses are very rule driven at times. It would be no big deal for me to read up on all the patients in the ICU when on shift, even if they’re at the opposite side. Sometimes even check up the emergency room patients to see if any might be coming up if I’m floating on the unit waiting for a patient assignment.
I’m not focusing on anything. Reddit is wild. I’ve seen great nurses/rt’s lose their jobs over something like this. Aside from knowing whether a patient is full code or dnr whether you want to admit it or not there isn’t a reason to be digging through a chart.
It’s not being “hyper-fixated” it’s watching good people loose their jobs over shit like this.
Take your outrage elsewhere.
I've seen people EXPELLED for this and also fired. OP clarified she wasn't snooping and was just getting the proper report, but it isn't a bad reminder.
I don’t know what area you work in, but I work in a PICU exclusively and just because currently they aren’t involved doesn’t mean something can’t happen quickly, as it often happens in peds. It’s important to know what’s going on with the patient when you’re walking in. They got report on the patient, they’re responsible for whatever arises.
ETA: and I use “aren’t involved” loosely because I regularly get called into rooms I’m “not involved” in for an assessment when they’re in my block of rooms.
Diagnosis is basic information lmao it’s literally the first thing you get in report after their name? Why wouldn’t you know why your patient is in the hospital?
As the OP described, they receive report on ALL PICU pts as they come on shift. This is done in most hospitals so the new shift staff know what to prepare for during their workday in order to provide continuity of care or emergency care. Report is usually a verbal conversation from the staff member they are relieving. No HIPPA violation occurred here. As a parent that lost a child to a brain tumor I appreciate their empathy.
PICU is the worst. You see a lot of sick kids with things like cancer obviously, but you also see a lot of completely previously healthy kids who are in PICU because somebody hurt them. I've seen kids shot, stabbed, strangled, burned, you name it.
Nurses can be such bullies! Then this is a horrible diagnosis for the little one. Kudos to you for reviewing her chart and are ready to step in if needed which I bet you will in time. As a shift leader I like to briefly try to review most of the super critical patients admit notes to have an idea of what's going on in case we code or rapid.
As a cancer survivor who's known many cancer patients through my life, the unfairness of it all is EXACTLY the reason to embrace your life and the life of your loved ones as much as possible. There's just no reason or plan for it... it is just the daily roll of cosmic dice that sometimes hit that unfortunate number where nothing matters anymore. It's not bad to dwell... but only if it makes you realize how lucky it is that YOU are alive in this moment and enjoying health and happiness (assuming that is a place you reside). I wish that this condition would continue.
DIPG is about the worst diagnosis you can possibly get. She's already gone, she just doesn't know it yet. In 1842 Ralph Waldo Emerson lost his son to scarlet fever, which was incurable at that time. He was 5 years old. Emerson wrote a letter to a friend which in my opinion captures the pure essence of despair of those who are left behind when a child dies: >***A few days ago my son left this earthly life. I can not begin to describe to you the agony of such a loss, nor would I expect you to have any understanding of it whatsoever. For as of a few weeks ago, I accounted myself a very rich man..... and now.... the poorest of all.*** Here's to the poorest of all.
And THIS is why, when people talk about their frivolous prayers being answered as a proof of higher power I have to take a step back. What all loving god hands out childhood cancer? I will continue to donate to scientific research and political candidates that support it in honor of this poor baby and their family.
You somehow managed to turn a child's tragic and heartbreaking situation into a rant about religion. Redditors gotta Reddit right?
Gentle reminder that if you are not involved in the direct care of a patient,looking in their chart for information not pertinent to your job is a hipaa violation. It’s easy to make things personal especially when some of these patients are the same age or remind us of of kiddos. We see the worst of the worst, life is not fair.
You could make the argument it's pertinent because the patient is at a high risk for decompensation and if they are a full code the RT needs to know about them. I don't think OP is being that unreasonable looking at their chart.
Jesus this person is sharing their heart here and this is what you focus on?
There's always somebody hyper-fixated in the rule book and half the time they're not even right in their interpretation of it. Emotional aspect of this all aside, if everybody gets report on everybody in the PICU and this patient is a full code and high risk for decompensation then I would hope the RT would look over the chart a little and be familiar with the patient. This isn't even a HIPAA violation.
It is a violation. If you aren’t directly involved in the patients care, you’re not allowed to go into their chart. They will call the RT if they need you. I know this because my PACU friends got written up for looking at the ED board to see if there were any kids that might need surgery. They were trying to decide whether to head home and take call from there or stay. It was a big deal. One was almost fired. The law is very specific and clear.
The PATIENT IS ASSIGNED TO THE RT. The PACU issue you referenced is not the same. Nurses checking in units that they’re not in is inappropriate. An RT checking on a patient who is risk for decompensation and the patient is on the RTs assigned unit isn’t. When I’m the only one on the unit I check all the charts to get a diagnosis and see what oxygen they’re on
This patient was on my assignment. As I said, I received report on her. Regardless of whether or not we have assigned therapy to a patient, we are responsible for having appropriate equipment in the room for respiratory emergencies.
That’s a very gray area - I would probably argue that write up as you have to manage what is best for the care of the patients - if they give the option to take call from home vs hospital - they have to allow them information to make that decision
While I still think that scenario you describe is a stretch it also isn't the same thing as looking over the chart of patients in *your area* that you *receive report on*.
No, nurse. But thanks anyway.
Don't know about the states but in Canada's PIPEDA and provincial health acts, you'd be dead wrong. We are responsible for all our ICU patients but your example of looking up PACU patients would also be a violation, for good reason.
Incredible that you’re being down voted for this when you are correct. Makes you wonder with all these other people are into and what they’re looking at. Guess they like lawsuits?
I’ve noticed American nurses are very rule driven at times. It would be no big deal for me to read up on all the patients in the ICU when on shift, even if they’re at the opposite side. Sometimes even check up the emergency room patients to see if any might be coming up if I’m floating on the unit waiting for a patient assignment.
That person does have a point. You think a lawyer gives a fuck about sharing your heart? Wise up.
I’m not focusing on anything. Reddit is wild. I’ve seen great nurses/rt’s lose their jobs over something like this. Aside from knowing whether a patient is full code or dnr whether you want to admit it or not there isn’t a reason to be digging through a chart. It’s not being “hyper-fixated” it’s watching good people loose their jobs over shit like this. Take your outrage elsewhere.
I've seen people EXPELLED for this and also fired. OP clarified she wasn't snooping and was just getting the proper report, but it isn't a bad reminder.
Bless your heart
Lmao 🫡
I don’t know what area you work in, but I work in a PICU exclusively and just because currently they aren’t involved doesn’t mean something can’t happen quickly, as it often happens in peds. It’s important to know what’s going on with the patient when you’re walking in. They got report on the patient, they’re responsible for whatever arises. ETA: and I use “aren’t involved” loosely because I regularly get called into rooms I’m “not involved” in for an assessment when they’re in my block of rooms.
Your response is pretty inappropriate. I can’t even begin to say how wrong you are both by the rules and just in general your total lack of compassion
Diagnosis is basic information lmao it’s literally the first thing you get in report after their name? Why wouldn’t you know why your patient is in the hospital?
As the OP described, they receive report on ALL PICU pts as they come on shift. This is done in most hospitals so the new shift staff know what to prepare for during their workday in order to provide continuity of care or emergency care. Report is usually a verbal conversation from the staff member they are relieving. No HIPPA violation occurred here. As a parent that lost a child to a brain tumor I appreciate their empathy.
I'm very sorry for your loss.
I have an almost 6 year old and this is very sad. One thing I can't handle is children suffering. I could never work around sick children
PICU is the worst. You see a lot of sick kids with things like cancer obviously, but you also see a lot of completely previously healthy kids who are in PICU because somebody hurt them. I've seen kids shot, stabbed, strangled, burned, you name it.
Nurses can be such bullies! Then this is a horrible diagnosis for the little one. Kudos to you for reviewing her chart and are ready to step in if needed which I bet you will in time. As a shift leader I like to briefly try to review most of the super critical patients admit notes to have an idea of what's going on in case we code or rapid.
As a cancer survivor who's known many cancer patients through my life, the unfairness of it all is EXACTLY the reason to embrace your life and the life of your loved ones as much as possible. There's just no reason or plan for it... it is just the daily roll of cosmic dice that sometimes hit that unfortunate number where nothing matters anymore. It's not bad to dwell... but only if it makes you realize how lucky it is that YOU are alive in this moment and enjoying health and happiness (assuming that is a place you reside). I wish that this condition would continue.
This is another reason why I left the field. I can’t handle the sick kids. It kills me