TRUST BUT VERIFY!
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This aviation motto ensures pilots complete critical tasks performed by automation or another pilot. It was popularized during the Cold War by Ronald Reagan when dealing with the Russians and the potential of nuclear war Russians (the saying is also a Russian proverb which is why Reagan chose to use it no doubt).
This motto became EXTREMELY important to us throughout our hospital stays! During these adventures, by following this motto, we routinely caught mistakes with medications, dosing, allergies, lab tests, and the list goes on. “TRUST BUT VERIFY!”
During one particular inpatient stay at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, we caught an error with our son’s medication EVERY DAY, 10 days in a row! This should make you take note as Cincinnati Children’s is a top tier children’s hospital. If it is happening there, it is happening in your hospital.
Why does this happen? Hospitals have thousands upon thousands of orders that have to be input correctly, made correctly, delivered correctly and administered correctly. There are many moving parts and, unfortunately, things get dropped. Attending Doctors are usually extremely smart and make the best decisions regarding treatment and medication they can. However, once they make the decision or treatment plan, it is typically out of their hands and into the hands of other hospital staff (unsure of the hierarchy of doctors? Click here). Sometimes the task of writing the actual orders prescribed by the Attending doctor is handed down to a resident or nurse practitioner who, hopefully, understand the order and input it correctly. Then, the order must get filled, delivered and administered at the right time. It becomes an intricate ballet of sorts with people running here and there and everyone having a specific job that must be done at exactly the right time for the patient to get the prescribed treatment.
Hospitals fall victim to the old saying, “Everyone, Someone, Anyone, and NO ONE”. Everyone was sure someone did it, when anyone could have done it, but NO ONE actually did it. You are the safety net, be vigilant, be aware, take notes, ensure critical tasks are being completed correctly!
It is up to you, the Mighty Lionheart Champion, to advocate for and be a champion for your Mighty Lionheart (the patient). You are the only constant! Doctors and nurses come and go, but you remain and have the most interest at getting it right. Learn as much as you can about what your doctor’s orders are and ensure they are followed from day one!
Let us know your thoughts, experiences and questions here!
If you would like to order the TRUST BUT VERIFY poster to display proudly in your hospital room to reinforce this principle to all
Sometimes nurses can get testy when you are asking them questions because they have so much going on, but if you let them know from the beginning what you are going to do and what they can expect from you, things typically run smoother. To this end, you can let nurses and hospital staff know you WILL be double checking their work, especially critical tasks, by displaying our TRUST BUT VERIFY poster (click here) as well as communicating with them at your first meeting to let them know your motto:)!
Roar!
Mighty Lionhearts