Giving Credit Where It's Due

Hi Kevin, don't take it personally. In these instances, nomatter who I interact with, I look at it two ways;

1. The PA will remember what you did and will use your situational awareness as a learning moment, in which case you were a great instructor.

2. In the future when the PA cannot provide the solutions in these situations because you are not there with the answers, people will soon realise who is the real teamplayer and practitioner, Jim

Our goals, duties and responsibilities lie with improving patient outcomes and their care in general. Seeing to it that in an instance such as this, our input and expertise is utilized to achieve that goal supercedes the taking of any credit to achieve it. The best thing to do is to shrug it off and move on. Bask in the personal satisfaction that what you did made a difference.  

Kevin, Did you chart your suggestion to the PA?, Did you record it with the ABG "draw/stick", was the record made before the PA's? To often the record does not reflect the assesments, suggestions or interventions of the RT. RTs are commonly absent in code charting the "Oh, the nurse recorder will note when we showed up." is a common rational but does he or she note that you foound  the "bagging" increasingly more difficult, did he or she note that you noted the appearance of a mediastinal shift during resusciiation? likely not!!%0d%0a%0d%0aPJM

Like CJ said, let your actions speak for themselves and never miss a chance to show your stuff. Carry on intelligent conversations with your teammates and use every stupid nurse move as a kind teaching moment. Eventually, they notice.

Hey Kevin....I would wait for the next moment to let this PA know that "we are a great team" with a big smile of course. Most especially in front of that physician, maybe even a follow-up of "you know how we worked getting that pt on bipap and preventing a code last October.   I know this profession gets no glory only from our patients, but some other health professionals can be real jerks.  Sometimes its best to get your point across with a smile, it helps them realize Respiratory is a needed profession.  If we don't speak up who will speak for us? Get it done, but have fun.

Angie.

Kevin,

Your patient is fortunate that you were competent in your assessment and persuasive enough to communicate this to the PA.  After 32yrs in the field I have learned to let my actions speak for me, even when others take the glory.  Eventually by doing this and continuing in establishing your excellence as a RRT you will find yourself in the position of being the RT who is looked up to, who everyone loves to see working their unit, and who receives compliments and thanks on a regular basis.

Don't let it derail you from doing what your were called to do.

Unfortunately respiratory therapy is still the red-headed stepchild of health care. Many years ago I had a patient that was severely cyanotic and I wanted to draw a stat blood gas. The pulmonologist wasn't in favor and ignored my telephone request. So the nurse and I decided to overide his decision by saying it was a nursing judgement call. Good thing, because the patient had a very critical PO2. Several days later, that pulmonologist saw me and thanked me, because the patient had contracted necrotizing fascitis. But keep doing the right thing because when you least expect it, you will be receive the thanks of a grateful patient, family member, RN, RRT or MD that you do a job well done.

Dear Kevin;

  Welcome to Respiratory Care, the *** child of the medical arts. If you got into this for personal glory...you have my sympathies. However, if you entered this realm to really help others and to feel personal satisfaction in doing a job well with integrity and grace. Congratulations. Your in the right place. I've been an RRT since 1980, and I am shocked how little has changed. Carry on and Stay Focused. You will see the changes you make to the lives of others,and you will upon occassion get a genuine unsolicited thank you from a genuinely greatful patient, family member or colleague. You will have earned and not stolen it. Much more satisfying.

First, Happy Respiratory Care Week!! Secondly Kevin, unfortunately RT's do not get the respect nor recognition we deserve and yes it is very frustrating especially being how obvious of a vital asset we are as apart of First Responders healthcare providers. In the future, find a window of opportunity to enterject how you where the brains behind a critical care decision that was made, that way the real powers that be will start to notice you and your patient advocate skills.