Unsanitary Condtions in Home/Can I refuse to take case

[MayBoo]

Hi everyone,

I am a home health care nurse. I have loved my job up until this present case.

The home enviorment that I work in is filthy to say the least. Backed up sewage in the sink, infested with flies, garbage over flowing in the house. This is just to mention a few things, but you get the idea.

I spend eight hours a day with the patient doing trach care, and basic nursing care. I am an LVN. It is not a diffiuclt case, however the condtions are so difficult for me to deal with I run home and feel like I have to sterlize myself. It is beyound filthy.

My question is this: I hate this job I am at. I have nightmares about it. I would like to tell my employee that I just cant take it. But I am afraid they will not give me another case cause. I have not worked in this job long, and do not want to jeopordize my job.

So, what do you think? Should I try and get out.

Signed, Miserable

[tewdles, RN]

While I do agree with the posts, it is important to remember that some people do not want our help when it comes to cleaning. There is mental illness that expresses itself in hoarding, etc. So, even if you make all of the appropriate calls the patient may not agree to any assistance. Sometimes we are left with either discharging the patient or agreeing to meet him "where he is" and try to help there.

[G_Ann]

Hello,

I think you should speak with your clinical supervisor first, and address the issues. Since you are performing tracheostomy care, it is important that the environment is clean and safe. I also understand that you don't want to jeapordize your job, I think communication among the supervisors will help resolve your issues.