Abandoned patients

NurseRies, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2014

Now comes the ethical dilemma-- call someone a cab out of your own pocket? You could be fired... Give someone a ride in your own car? Oh what a horrible thing to do!!! This is what saddens me.

I once saw a great secretary get let go because she helped a patient do her grocery shopping. The patient was all alone and disabled. How absolutely terrible we felt. I guess the key here is either follow the rules, and good luck calling around at churches on the clock, or do the HUMAN thing, but don't get caught. Tough choice.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Apr 3, 2014

Your employer should have a policy for this situation and if they do not you need to have them create one.

601Qb · Apr 3, 2014

Fresenius policy used to be send to er via ambulance after 2 hours

rubichick · Apr 3, 2014

I haven't seen a policy that states that. Last Pt off on second shift and wait for 2 hours when there isn't anyone to give the pt a ride and no cab service in this small rural town...Medical director would not approve a transport to the ER...tried it

rubichick · Apr 3, 2014

I totally agree.

rubichick · Apr 3, 2014

Now comes the ethical dilemma-- call someone a cab out of your own pocket? You could be fired... Give someone a ride in your own car? Oh what a horrible thing to do!!! This is what saddens me.
I once saw a great secretary get let go because she helped a patient do her grocery shopping. The patient was all alone and disabled. How absolutely terrible we felt. I guess the key here is either follow the rules, and good luck calling around at churches on the clock, or do the HUMAN thing, but don't get caught. Tough choice.

not that calling a cab is an option here, but why/how could you get fired for it? The part that makes it even more difficult is that the patient has an extensive criminal history and not sure if anyone should be alone with the patient.

Ive heard many stories of staff losing jobs because they assisted pts with similar situations. liability reasons, ethical reasons...pros/cons! Ack, stressing me out.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Apr 3, 2014

Did they make you stay? Did they pay you? I think the medical director should come in and deal with it.

rubichick · Apr 3, 2014

Did they make you stay? Did they pay you? I think the medical director should come in and deal with it.

I gave the PT a ride, per the AM's request/approval. I'll never do it again and I'm salary, so no I didn't get paid to do it. The medical director lives about 2 hrs away, so he wasn't dealing with it either. I love my small 8 chair unit, but I'm thinking the bigger units with more local resources are probably the way to go.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Apr 4, 2014

They really put you in a poor position. What if something had happened? The patient would have sued you and your employer would say that is not policy and wash their hands. I would demand they come up with an appropriate policy for the future. That does not involve your personal car!

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2014

Fresenius policy used to be send to er via ambulance after 2 hours

This sounds like a waste of ER resources, and not an appropriate reason to call 911

trishmsn · Apr 4, 2014

This sounds like a waste of ER resources, and not an appropriate reason to call 911

Yes, it is a waste of the ER in many ways.

Yes, it is a wierd reason to call 911.

BUT

The ER is open 24/7, has social workers, and are capable of keeping the patient safe and accounted for until such time as someone shows up to get them.

(And let's not even talk about the waste of ER resources and ambulances that happens pretty much 24/7 thanks to people who are clueless, scared, abusing the system, want a ride downtown, want Vicodin, or are lonely, mentally ill, or want a warm place to spend the night.)

It is not safe to leave a staff member alone with one patient for 101 different reasons. Sometimes the only choices are the least horrible of rotten options!