Nursing Boundaries...can I go feed my patients cats?

[srg4784]

Not finding much information...actually any. I have discussed with case managers and received advice against this..

My patient gave myself and another nurse permission to go into his unlocked home to check on his cats, he has no one its just him and his cats and he will be hospitalized for at least another 6-8 days. Is this against the rules? Mind you I called APS for my patient as he is neglecting himself/hoarding etc. so he will be upset when they do come and he will automatically think it was me that called since he warned me about his home before going. I really want to help these animals and thought we could go out with animal control. Its so frustrating on what we cant do for our patients. I know it's crossing the line, but I am such an animal lover and knowing these cats will be w/o food for a week is heartbreaking. Sure there's so many hungry animals but these cats I KNOW about. How much trouble could I get in really?

Any advice?

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

If the person is a hoarder, he will be less than pleased if the house is condemed, and all of the cats are taken by animal control, and because he trusted you and the other nurse, he will then more than likely blame you for any change in his home enviroment. This type of mental illness is so difficult to deal with, hence why perhaps his family is reluctant to get involved, The police can not legally bring you to a person's home and I would think that you all would be compelled to report to animal control what you may find inside. (which may not be a bad thing). With all that being said, it is crossing a huge line to go to a patient's home when they are not there (or even in some faculities when they are there). You are dealing with a person who has a complex mental illness, and clinically needs and deserves as many services in place as you can for him. However, to get involved in his personal life outside of your job is another thing entirely. You never mentioned if you knew this person outside of work, or you met him as your patient. Not that it matters in the entire scheme of things, but if you just met him as your patient, you would do yourself a world of good to think about your professional and theraputic boundries, as if you get too emotionally invested in patients can wreck havoc on you.

[sauconyrunner]

I admit, situations with animals are tough, but you need to NOT be going into the home. First of all...that is your time off work. You need to do something else with it. It does cross a line and would not sit well with any number of persons/organizations.

I personally think if there are animals in a home and they are not being cared for properly, they need to be removed. If Animal Control will not do it, (And I find it strange that they say they won't....given that we know no one is home to care for the cats, and the house apparently is in bad shape), you could call one of the no-kill shelters, and have them come, talk to the pt and possibly get him to agree to them removing the cats until he is able to care for them himself. (which may be never.) I think the last thing you need to worry about is him getting to say goodbye to his cats. He is getting the medical care he needs and will be further assisted with APS. The Cats now need an opportunity to get the care they need...which I think, will be out of that environment.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Writer gives great advice. PLease do not go in the home. You really are taking a personal chance for trespass/liability. What if he says after you fed his cats he becomes delusional and says he's actually a millionaire and his money is gone. Way not a good idea. Try local rescue organizations. Not "public ones" but private one's that are usually more apt to go in the home. But maybe the animal control coming in might be the best thing that ever happened to these animals? Calling them might not be the "bad" thing to do at all. We all have to do things in our patients best interest that they may not make them very happy.

I did utilize a police escort once to check on an employee that had several MAJOR health issues and to get them to help me was harder than an act of congress. I essentially went to his apartment complex and made myself a public nuisance so security called the police on me. We found him deceased on the living room floor......thinking of you friend :cheers:.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

"This might sound heartless, but if this poor guy is a hoarder, having animal control come in could be a blessing for all involved. He might feel emotional attachment to his cats, but, really, in a hoarding kind of environment, how well do you think he is providing for them."

I absolutely agree. This is what animal control is supposed to do!

It would be wrong for you to go in the house

and

It would be wrong to leave those cats abandoned without care also

So, make animal control do what they are supposed to do and know how to do and consequences be damned.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Are there local animal rescue groups that might be able to get in there quicker than animal control? I'd probably try that first, or try to get the patients to relinquish them or allow a paid "sitter" to enter the home...but if all else failed I would get in there myself, with a witness, and place ample food/water just inside the door. I am NOT recommending that you do the same, but this is what I would do.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Dont lose your job over this. Get his permission to call a neighbor. Let the patient ask the neighbor to feed or check on the cats. As nurses we have to be resourceful and learn how to delegate. I frankly believe that since you are not a home health nurse, you will be crossing the line by going to the patient's house. If two cents get missing from his house, the patient might sue you for stealing. And I dont think Samaritan's law applies here.

As a nurse, part of what we do is to help patients advocate for themselves. Help him identify a neighboor and have him call to ask for their help. You put WAY to much at risk by going into his home.

Do not do it.

Good Luck!

[MattNurse, MSN, RN]

I didn't read all posts, your patient can probably find a pet sitter that will go to the house and feed the cats. Or a rescue organization that will save those cats from a man with chronic health and hoarding illnesses.

[jeckrn, BSN, RN]

Check with your social work department.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

the cats will not starve in a few days, although speaking as a cat lover and owner i can tell you they will be plenty p-o'd. they will get water out of the toilet if their water bowl is empty. they will start finding other places to pee and poo when their litter box gets overused.

this is not your job, and as somebody said above, the house is unlocked and things are found to be missing, you will be the first person he turns to. try explaining that to your boss or the bon. you know it's wrong, they know you know it's wrong, and that is correct.

as to the kitties, call the humane society or the municipal animal control and ask them how they handle these things. perhaps they can come to the hospital and get him to sign a permission slip to go in and feed and water his babies, or take them into protective custody until he is discharged. or call a good pet-sitting service; the local vets will tell you who is good, bonded, and insured. if your patient doesn't want to pay for that, he's not being a responsible pet owner.

[lovetosleep]

The poor cats! If I was in this situation I would find someone to open the front door, dump a whole bag of food on the floor, and leave a bucket of water for the cats.

Try the fire department. They always seem to be willing to help animals. If you drive over to a firehouse with a bag of cat food and explain the situation they would probably go feed the cats. I worked at an animal hospital for years and we called the fire department several times to get help cutting things off of animals (giant tortoise who got his leg stuck in a rod iron umbrella stand, ect)

If all else fails call a local animal hospital and ask them for help. They will not let the cats starve, they will find someone to go feed the cats for your patient.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I'd be pretty pi$$ed if someone tried to feed me cat.

[FORTHELOVEOF!!!!]

I'd be pretty pi$$ed if someone tried to feed me cat.

Lol, I am so glad I am not the only one who read it this way in the beginning! I thought it was going to be something along the lines trying to be culturally sensitive and find a way to get the patient his ideal dinner while in the hospital, I almost fell over until I read the post!