[sleepyndopey]

thanks for the feed back.

[lindarn]

Originally Posted by sleepyndopey

Hi, I'm an lpn and I work at a rehab/nursing home. I have been there for a long time. Without going into the whole complicated story, I noticed a nurse I work with tampered with a patients chart to make an order look like it was writen 3 days before it actually was. She did a rather poor job of it by the way. Anyway, this act of hers made me look bad(until I pointed it out to DON). I'm ****** off at this nurse. I have never complained about a coworker, now I want her out of there. The thing is, the word on the street(or in the hallways) is she was told to do it by management( to cover up the fact that the order should have been there). I would not have done that if I was asked. I reported this to the administrator and the nurse did not get fired! Let me add, there is no way to deny this order was inserted.
Should I contact the board of nursing?
What about photocopy's of the chart? Does anyone know the law? As far as I know we are not allowed to photocopy charts at all. someone I work with says we can copy if we black out the name.
If anyone can help me, i'd would appreciate it.
thanks

I have never let anything stand in my way of making copies of records to defend myself or pin the blame on the responsible party, who would do the same to me, if the tables werer turned. I say, GO FOR IT!!

Lindarn, BSN, CCRN
Spokane, Washington

[TheCommuter]

Your coworker falsified a pertinent part of the medical record. This was pointed out to the administrator, who proceeded to do nothing about the situation.

If you intend to report this incident to the BON, be sure to have another job lined up before you notify the board. Nurses who report wrongdoings are often retaliated against, and the management at your workplace just might conjure up something about you that is worth reporting to the BON. Good luck, and tread carefully.

[widi96]

I certainly don't know about copying charts - didn't think it was acceptable - I definitely wouldn't take it off the hospital / nh property though because then you could get blamed for HIPPA violations. We were taught that in school - Nothing with any type of patient identifiers EVER leaves the hospital without having consent of the patient.

[Katnip]

I agree copying charts can bite you in the behind.

Did you contact risk management as well? Did you document that you spoke to administration and the response you got? If so, proceed to the BON. Falsification of records is illegal.

[sleepyndopey]

Thanks for all the feedback so far. I am worried about being fired from my job if I contact the BON. I put my complaint(in detailed writing) to the administrator. I foolishly thought she would take care of the problem, but it seems she is out to protect the DON/ADON who apparently directed this nurse to falsify the record. I did not contact risk management. Again, I believed this was the administrators duty. I have gotten no feedback on this incident since I reported it. All I know is the nurse who falsified the record was suspended for 3 days, came back and had a meeting with the Corporate representative and now is working in her regular position as if nothing happened. I was given a write up when the problem first appeared. I looked in the chart, showed them all the problems and they took my write up away. I just don't feel like that is enough. What if they had covered it up better? That write up would stand in my file(it stated I failed to assess a patient and caused a stage 2 pressure ulcer to develope). I don't know what I am going to do. Like TheCommuter said, they can get something on me. I'm paranoid now, and I never have been like this before. I need this job. I am in school for RN and I get tuition reimbursment, along with other benefits I need.
I'm not sure what I am going to do. I'm still thinking about it. Your feedback really helps. I am an honest person and I want to work with honest people. This problem is really getting to me.
Thanks.

[AlabamaLegalRN]

Originally Posted by sleepyndopey

Thanks for all the feedback so far. I am worried about being fired from my job if I contact the BON. I put my complaint(in detailed writing) to the administrator. I foolishly thought she would take care of the problem, but it seems she is out to protect the DON/ADON who apparently directed this nurse to falsify the record. I did not contact risk management. Again, I believed this was the administrators duty. I have gotten no feedback on this incident since I reported it. All I know is the nurse who falsified the record was suspended for 3 days, came back and had a meeting with the Corporate representative and now is working in her regular position as if nothing happened. I was given a write up when the problem first appeared. I looked in the chart, showed them all the problems and they took my write up away. I just don't feel like that is enough. What if they had covered it up better? That write up would stand in my file(it stated I failed to assess a patient and caused a stage 2 pressure ulcer to develope). I don't know what I am going to do. Like TheCommuter said, they can get something on me. I'm paranoid now, and I never have been like this before. I need this job. I am in school for RN and I get tuition reimbursment, along with other benefits I need.
I'm not sure what I am going to do. I'm still thinking about it. Your feedback really helps. I am an honest person and I want to work with honest people. This problem is really getting to me.
Thanks.

Okay, here's my take on it. KEEP A TIMELINE, write everything down, all of the meetings you've had, etc. and GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR BOARD OF NURSING. They will investigate the matter, AND you can do it anonymously. If you do lose your job, GET AN ATTORNEY, because honey, if they fire you for this, you will never have to work again.

[HJS27]

If you don't make and keep a copy, and this blows up in your face and you have to defend yourself in court, you have no evidence. You would be amazed how official documents can just disappear when things go to court. You don't have to DO anything with the copies right now. Just keep them in a safe place as your insurance. YOU have to protect YOU. No one else will.

[canoehead]

Make a copy and black out the patient's name. Write the entire timeline down now so it doesn't become fuzzy for you. Start looking for a new job where they don't falsify charts.

[sharann]

Amazing, the lack of ethics of your nursing admin. Amazing. Please let us know how it is coming along.
Yikes. You do the moral thing and it goes nowhere.Stinks huh? I reported a co-worker for doing drugs and alcohol while on call and nothing happened. She still does pot every night, but oh well, as long as my report was signed by my boss and is in HR(it is) then what else to do.
Your situation is awful and I am so happy that you reported it.