And now for something REALLY stupid

[Mister Mxyzptlk]

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Ok, I'm used to hearing the preop nurses ask my patients if it's ok to give a blood transfusion. However, the new question I heard yesterday was mind-blowing for sheer stupidity:

"Do you mind if Dr. Mxyzptlk has technical assistance during the procedure?"

IOW, do they mind if I have a nurse and xray tech in the room, or should we give Dr. M 30 pairs of gloves so he can run back and forth moving the c-arm and recording VS?

Our new time out also requires that we ask if anyone has "any issues concerning the case". Originally it was just "any issues" but apparently everyone would then complain that gas costs too much, we need to get out of Iraq, etc.

 

[Doctodd]

how does she even pronounce your name?.....give her a break😀

 

[bedrock]

one of many reasons, I avoid doing procedures in ASC/hospital unless I absolutely have to.

 

[PMR 4 MSK]

Do you all do and document any form of time-out before procedures in your clinic?

 

[Aether2000]

We do. Our procedures are performed in a AAAHC certified office anesthesia suite. The time out has saved us a few times....it used to be irritating but now I think of it as a double check. However we do not have the touchy feely questions about issues with the case or philosophies of medicine that are required in TX... 🙂

 

[mille125]

Ok, I'm used to hearing the preop nurses ask my patients if it's ok to give a blood transfusion. However, the new question I heard yesterday was mind-blowing for sheer stupidity:

"Do you mind if Dr. Mxyzptlk has technical assistance during the procedure?"

IOW, do they mind if I have a nurse and xray tech in the room, or should we give Dr. M 30 pairs of gloves so he can run back and forth moving the c-arm and recording VS?

Our new time out also requires that we ask if anyone has "any issues concerning the case". Originally it was just "any issues" but apparently everyone would then complain that gas costs too much, we need to get out of Iraq, etc.

most of this is not required...someone is having fun at your expense (we practice in the same state)....talk to your administrator..

 

[clubdeac]

Here's what I have to do.....

Patient comes in and nurse reads his bracelet aloud to me and him. I then have to consent him on the computer. He's then taken to the procedure room where he's prepped and the nurse does a time out. Then I do another time out reading aloud his full name, ss #, date of birth and procedure. I then do a 1 min ESI and start the whole process over again. It's asinine!

 

[Mister Mxyzptlk]

I counted it up today. I have to sign my name 5 times (not including the initials on the operative site, which I explain to the patient as "part of our patient humiliation program") before I can get in the O.R.

We document a time out in the office. I am SO glad that the majority of my work is in my own office.

Whenever they do a timeout at the hospital you should always question the date of birth: "Wait a minute. I think he was born in 1947, not 1948. Could you verify that? Go get his driver's license. I'll wait here."

mille125 - what's required doesn't matter, it's whatever risk management thinks you need to CYA. The timeout has become its own industry. There are now towels and scalpels and little signs for the mayo stand that say "time out" on them.