Negligent CNA

[halerac88]

I was transferring a resident to bed as a one person ext. that I had been transferring for months and followed all the right steps when I noticed that the bed frame of the bed had caused a very large skin tear on the residents leg. I immediately got the attention of my supervising nurse and she got our Charge nurse and they began to assist the resident. I was then informed that the resident had been a two person ext. and that I had to have a write up for not following the care plan even though I was not aware that the care plan had been changed. I was than informed the next day by DNS that the incident had to reported to the state because it was negligence. This incident has happened before several months ago when the resident was transferred as a two person but the DNS believed it was another issue that caused the injury and not the bed frame. The DNS said that it was my transfer that caused the injury yet that same day she had the bed replaced in the residents room. I am also confused because for almost a year I have been charting that I have been transferring the resident as a one person and the MDS never questioned me or asked why I was transferring the resident incorrectly. I am scared that I am going to lose my license, I am a good CNA and all of my coworkers and residents love me. Even the resident who got injured stated that she believes it was the bed that caused both injuries and doesn't believe me to be at fault. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do?

[kdkout, BSN, RN]

I dont know what you should do....there probably isnt anything you can do. I'd bet it's a policy that states they have to report these things or the facility can get in trouble if they dont. The people you need to talk to may be your direct supervisors, but I have no idea if that's a good idea or not. I do know from working in geratrics that skin tears can happen quite easily. Sorry I couldnt be more helpful.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

You have certification unless I'm missing something. As for the MDS, unless they have an MDS nurse that does the whole thing themselves, a lot gets missed by floor RNs filling out the MDS on noc shifts or eve (I worked at one place that split them up between the nurses to help the MDS nurse). But that's not helping when so much gets missed.

You're worrying too much. You are not the first person to have this happen. Learn from the scenario and check the care plans, or ask your nurse when you come on when there's a new resident/patient questions; what kind of transfer, code status, are there any changes, etc..

You people should be getting report. At anytime you feel the transfer protocol isn't up to snuff...report and document.