Any Nicu Nurses Experience -double Bunking In The Nicu

Specialties NICU

Published

HAVE ANY NICU NURSES EXPERIENCED DOUBLE BUNKING (PLACING TWO BABIES INTO A BEDSPCE DESIGNATED AND SET UP FOR) ONE BABY...?

THIS HAS BEEN A PRACTICE IN OUR HOSPITAL TO KEEP OUR CENSUS HIGH.

AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THIS IS A FRAUD ISSUE?

Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
This question was posed as part of a whistle blower suit that was already filed under seal in federal court. As a nurse at a level III, 56 bed nicu, with 6 other level III's in the near vicinity open to transport, I was appalled at the lack of concern for numerous infectious outbreaks, severe understaffing ratio's,open bedspaces while doublebunking 5-10 kids per shift,and overcrowding. Some of the infectious outbreaks had lead to death (confirmed by autopsy). After complaints to management, attendings,osha, even the dept. of health and jcaho("we dont have the staff to investigate every complaint") I took it upon myself to see that babies never see harm due to my care, and went to the attorney generals office. the case was found to have merit and was investigated fully, and intervened on as of today.

I believe as nurses it is our duty to ensure no harm is caused by our care and by the care of others.There are avenues to take when others become blocked. Nursing at the forefront should be just that!

Congratulations and thank you for following thru on such an important issue of patient safety! Did this go thru Lisa Madigan's office? Has the case been resolved? Are you free to list the name of the institution? Can you refer us to any news articles on this subject?

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Please do not name the institution. It certainly seems like there's culpability here, I just don't want them suing allnurses!!

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

In our PICU we frequently have two patients in a single room, even if we have open spaces out in the main unit, but mostly because we're way over census either due to acuity or a lack of floor beds/staff. Then there are the times that it's done for break coverage, which fries me! Get some more staff for God's sake! In physical fact we have 15 beds, but the hospital says we have 16, and on some days we have 18 or 19. The rooms are designed for one patient so we run into problems with access to electrical, oxygen and suction outlets and space. Heaven forbid one of the kids goes south and we can't get the crash cart into the room... that's what extension cords are for. Oh and never mind the nosocomial infections! Viral culture results often find their way to the unit long after the kid's gone to the floor, and we've exposed half the population to whatever they've got. Our infection control staff have kittens whenever they come into the unit and we've got two kids in one room, but that doesn't seem to make any difference. Our administration only cares about the bottom line, and being seen as the saviour of the hospital.

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Please feel free to read the article in Crain's Chicago Business...it is now public and out from under seal!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
Please feel free to read the article in Crain's Chicago Business...it is now public and out from under seal!

Found it! Thanks. Glad to hear that it wasn't the hospital where I used to work. Given other problems I've heard about this institution lately, I guess I'm not really surprised. Such a violation of parent's and the public trust!

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

I've really suspected this about our unit but honestly I don't know how many beds we are licensed for.

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Hi.

We NEVER double bunk. When our census reaches max - we go to an overflow room that we take from Post-Partum and send some feeder/growers over there.

Other than the whole infection thing, I think it is a big "no-no" for Joint Commission if they would happen to show up.

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