[DZcarrie]

If you saw things that were blatantly in violation to state regs at your facility, would you report it to the state?

this is after you've attempted to move up the chain of command with no luck.

[purplemania]

Generally speaking, the answer is yes, because regulations are there to protect the public and you have an obligation to do that as part of your nursing license (at least in Texas it is required). I don't know the situation though. If you are really uncomfortable perhaps you should find another job or you could be guilty too.

[chimama]

I understand your frustation and concern but know this...no reporting to the State,esp. in Texas, will be anonymous.What are you concerned about? How has the chain of command failed you? Have you gone to the corporate level? I only ask because what you do may profoundly affect your career without correcting the problem.

[CapeCodMermaid]

IN Massachusetts, you CAN report to the state or OSHA or any number of regulatory boards annonymously. We also have a corporate hot line we can contact if the higher ups at the facility don't pay attention to us.
I would always report any major infraction of the regs if it pertained to patient care or any kind of fraud.

[cannoli]

Originally Posted by chimama

I understand your frustation and concern but know this...no reporting to the State,esp. in Texas, will be anonymous.What are you concerned about? How has the chain of command failed you? Have you gone to the corporate level? I only ask because what you do may profoundly affect your career without correcting the problem.

Why can't it be anonymous? An anonymous letter, no one would know for sure who sent it, regardless of suspicions.

[purplemania]

depending on the issue, your name may remain anonymous. But if a witness is required (you), then the Whistleblower's Act should protect you. You have no protection if you do nothing. Maybe a call to the state Health Dept? OSHA?

[chimama]

DZcarrie has all ready gone the the higher up people. A state reported complaint along the same lines will be obvious, and administration is always thinking along these lines. Certainly she should do all she can for the betterment of patient care. If the state can change things, then she should report it. She just needs to know that there can be serious repercussions. I don't mean to sound like I support non-action. It is just that here in TX the Dept. of Human Services rarely if ever actually effect an improvement. Knowing what the concern is would make it easier to brainstorm a solution.

[Dixiedi1]

I have to agree with chimama this time. Reporting rarely corrects a situation. However, the risk you take in doing so may be worth it if pts really are in danger.

Which state regs? Sometimes facilities bend state regs just a tad too far and that will never change and reporting it will likely get you in deep do do. How would they know it is you? Have you ever, I mean ever, said anything to another employee about it? If you have, they will know. They may not be able to prove it, but they don't have to in order to retaliate. None of us are perfect and getting fired over the same mistake everybody makes (like meds not being passed within the window) is not unheard of.

[sassynurse78]

It would depend on what it was. If it was putting pts/staff in danger I would defiantly consider it. Some regualtions are unrealistic, I know they are there for a reason but we are all human and things are not going to be perfect all the time. For example, meds/tx's not being down is way more serious then somebody forgetting to close a door before pt care, or a big one I see all the time where I work, people not knocking on the door before they enter.

[TinyNurse]

Originally Posted by DZcarrie

If you saw things that were blatantly in violation to state regs at your facility, would you report it to the state?

this is after you've attempted to move up the chain of command with no luck.

Of course, especially if no luck moving up chain of command,and if your license is in jeopardy.......
xo Jen