Need Your Opinion

[B.Wilhelm]

I AM CURRENTLY WORKING AT AN AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER IN WHICH I WORK WITH AN "EXPERIENCED" SCRUB TECH (OR SO SHE SAID DURING HER INTERVIEW). ANYWAY, MY ISSUE IS THIS; SINCE SHE HAS STARTED SHE HAS CONTAMINATED MULTIPLE TIMES IN MULTIPLE CASES (SOME OF WHICH ARE TOO SCARY TO THINK ABOUT!) , HAS NO CONCEPT OF STERILE TECHNIQUE, KNOWS NONE OF THE INSTRUMENTATION, DOESN'T KNOW (STILL) HOW TO SET UP AND OPEN THE BACK TABLE, AND MORE! SHE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO GOWN AND GLOVE HERSELF-IT TOOK ME 3 WEEKS TO FINALLY GET THROUGH TO HER HOW TO DO THAT. I HAVE BROUGHT THESE CONCERNS TO THE ADMINISTRATOR, WHO IS MY DIRECT SUPERVISOR, MULTIPLE TIMES. HE, HOWEVER, SHOWED LITTLE CONCERN REGARDING THIS MATTER SINCE HE TRAVELS OFTEN AND DOES NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT. SINCE THEN, I HAVE BROUGHT IT UP TO MY REGIONAL V.P. WHO ASSURED ME THE SITUATION WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY MY BOSS. WHAT HE DOESN'T REALIZE IS, MY BOSS SEEMS TO INSINUATE THAT I'M MAKING TOO MUCH OF IT. I FEEL THAT MY PATIENTS SHOULD COME BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE AND IN THIS INSTANCE THEY ARE BEING PUT "AT RISK" BECAUSE OF HER UNTRUE STATEMENTS ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE. AM I WRONG? SHOULD I HANDLE THIS DIFFERENTLY?

[OR girl]

I totally agree you must report this problem. If this person has misrepresented themselves I believe the facility can take disiplineary measures. I'm sure if your infection rate goes up, or a patient is harmed your administrator will be sorry he didn't take action sooner. Keep putting this situation before him. Are others in your facility aware of this persons limitations? They need to speak up as well. It's great if this new employee wants to work in the surgical area, but they have to be aware training and skills are necessary to be successful. DEMAND PATIENT SAFTEY!!

[New CCU RN]

I think your actions were totally called for and if I were in the same situation I would have done the same thing. It seems as though this person is CLUELESS!!!! Even though I am not an OR nurse.....I was cringing reading your post. I would continually bring the issue up. I would also see if any one else has noticed this as well. Strength sometimes comes in numbers and perhaps someone else speaking uup will help! Good luck.

[shodobe]

I would ask for credentials on this individual. You are the person who is responsible and your license is on the line if things go wrong. If this can not be verified then give the administrator an ultimatum, them or me. RN's are hard to come by and Techs are more available. A warm body in this instance is not a good thing when it comes to patient safety. I have been doing this for 25 years and have alot of patience but after awhile it gets irritating. Good luck, Mike