Assigned to a filthy home?

[nursestace28]

This month my agency has assigned me one shift / week at a home that is filthy. Dishes always overflowing in the sink, food left out on kitchen counters all night, moldy toilet, so many piles of clutter that I can't sit to chart without moving things. Can't wash syringes, etc without moving dirty dishes and having to wipe out the sink. I did one shift last week and mom admitted she was out of gloves but "too busy" to get more, even though both parents do not work - and patient is straight cathed q4 hours. Parents have a history of not refilling meds for a week + after they run out. Is it unreasonable of me to have told my agency I refuse shifts there?

[Emergent, RN]

It sound like you need to exercise your duty to contact child services. This sounds like child neglect and unsafe living conditions.

[nursestace28]

I've left a report for DCFS.

My office is acting like I'm unreasonable and refused to trade the shifts (even though there is an open shift the same nights at the home where I usually work), my administrator says she isn't able to change my schedule until December.

[caliotter3]

If they won't give you the open shift on the case you are already working, there is definitely a power struggle. This is evidence of what you can expect in the future. Either do what they tell you to do and don't make waves, or decide you are finding a job with a new agency or you will develop ulcers and anxiety.

[nursestace28]

Update: after verifying my complaints with other nurses, my administrator assigned me the shifts I wanted with my other patient. She's also contacting the parents to do teaching about providing a clean, safe environment.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

DCFS may have called your agency to find out why they haven't bothered to intervene or report. Sounds like damage control to your advantage...for now

[caliotter3]

DCFS may have called your agency to find out why they haven't bothered to intervene or report. Sounds like damage control to your advantage...for now

Sad to say, it is more likely damage control for the reason JBN states instead of a sudden epiphany on the part of management at the agency. If I were you I would tread lightly with this agency and have my feelers out for a new case with a new agency. You can't assume you will be so lucky on the next round with them.

[SirJohnny]

By law, your agency must supply personal protective equipment at no charge to you. This means gloves, masks, soap or alcohol based hand cleaner. If not, then contact OSHA and file a complaint.

Regarding a messy home. I have 3 or 4 cases that are messy to the point there are roaches, flies, and other bugs in the house. The bugs stay on their side, the kid and me stay on the other. I have (on more than one occasion), ripped everything out of the kid's side of the room, and cleaned (using micro-wipes) the entire area and re-built/stocked the area.

I then make it clear to the parent(s) that this area is to remain clean. I also leave a note for the other nurses to keep the area clean. Unfortunately, I bounce between 15 different clients (some I don't see for a month or two, as I am the night float). So areas that I have cleaned in the past tend to fall in disrepair again. At least I tried.

In private duty nursing you have two choices: (1) Either fix/clean the area, keep your mouth shut and keep your job. (2) Ignore the problem, and keep the job. (3) Call CPS or report to your agency, and lose your job (or at a minimum, the account).

Johnny

[rnrg]

Man, this is so true. So sad, and so true. Very unfortunate.

[SinikRN101]

Personal protection is required by the agency, I keep a stash on me unless I know the patient is stocked up. Outside of that, it depends on you, if you're that uncomfortable and don't need the shift just inform the agency. Some patients homes are cluttered, but I once had to refuse to return to a case because of roaches.