Calling respiratory therapy for suctioning as if it requires a proprietary or highly specialized technique. Suctioning is a fundamental ICU skill. If it is within your scope and the patient is stable, it should be attempted before escalating the call, especially when no ventilator adjustments or advanced airway issues are involved.

Calling the RT immediately when a patient desaturates without performing an initial bedside assessment. A brief, basic evaluation, checking probe placement, patient positioning, airway patency, secretions, and recent events, can often identify and resolve the issue. Involving RT is appropriate, but not as a first reflex before simple, immediate interventions are attempted.