Inaccurate Vital Signs- no one cares

Vital for a reason.

Lots of good advice.

I am sorry that you are working under those conditions. I'd like to tell you that the situation is unusual - but, I wonder.

1. Letter from the "group" to everyone.

2. Incident reports - take a stack. Inaccurate-broken-not in date with "biomed" gets written up

3. Take the broken stuff OOS - label it and tape it up - make it clear what is wrong the incident report # and physical services repair report #. DO NOT USE this equipment. Take it OFF YOUR UNIT per policy. Added bonus: Make them sign a receipt for it when "engineering/biomed" gets it - post receipt in nursing unit and copy to the top.

4. If you are left unable to get VS - or the VS do not "jive" (patients with temps generally have increased HR - low BP may have altered mental status - low temps may indicate advanced sepsis and need to reported AND DOCUMENTED to all MD's stat) note all actions taken in the PATIENT RECORD - call the MD's on every patient with a parameter that is questionable.

5. DO NOT use your stuff from home. Period. When the $@&+ hits the fan over this and it will - how will you prove that "your stuff" is accurate and since patients are treated on the basis of this info - this is a PROBLEM that you DO NOT WANT. Good intentions do not cancel liability.

6. Joint Commission and CMS can be contacted - JC will care - patient safety is at the forefront and CMS may care that treatment is based on assessment and the findings are suspect. CMS pays the bills - hmmmm.....wonder what that sepsis work-up (on the 95F temp) costs?

7. This one is BIG. Call the Board of Nursing. Careful that the nurses protect their licenses. Don't make things up - don't use stuff that does not work. Nothing to work with - don't clock in and accept patient assignment. Assessment is very important - vital signs are a part of assessment and on-going evaluation.

I looked back and you are a nursing student - report issues to the RN and ultimately it is their responsibility and license. Do the best you can and you are to commended for taking a stand for safe patient care.

Good Luck.
Practice SAFE.