Blame the nurse!

[Tina, RN]

I just read this article. Good job throwing the nurse under the bus, everyone! *sigh*

http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/dad-delivers-baby-doctor-nurse-flee-173317007--abc-news-health.html

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

That article makes me angry ...but the comments about it are even worse.

[liberated847]

Am I missing something? Seems the hospital dropped the ball here.

[Tina, RN]

Am I missing something? Seems the hospital dropped the ball here.

Both the doctor and the baby's father said that the nurse should have been there and wasn't. Knowing how bedside nursing is nowadays, the nurse was probably stretched very thin, and simply couldn't be. But reading the doctor's quotes, and how the father specifically mentioned the nurse (instead of the doctor) in his complaint, you can see who will probably take the fall...

[nocturnalnurse]

We had this happen but mom was watching tv and eating supper. Thought it was odd that the blanket was moving around so called the nurse. All was ok and mom and dad thought it was funny. Never trust the G1 cervadils you are sure are going to do nothing!

[liberated847]

Both the doctor and the baby's father said that the nurse should have been there and wasn't. Knowing how bedside nursing is nowadays, the nurse was probably stretched very thin, and simply couldn't be. But reading the doctor's quotes, and how the father specifically mentioned the nurse (instead of the doctor) in his complaint, you can see who will probably take the fall...

Thanks Tina, I agree, that's why I said the hospital dropped the ball here, my comment was not directed at the nurse though she/he was part of the overall failure here.

[Tina, RN]

Thanks Tina, I agree, that's why I said the hospital dropped the ball here, my comment was not directed at the nurse though she/he was part of the overall failure here.

Gotcha. :)

[SanDiegoCaliRN]

As an L&D nurse, I'm obviously looking for a way to let the nurse off the hook but I can't find an excuse for her being out of the room at the moment of delivery. I'm not sure how the staffing ratios are nationwide but here in California, we have mandated 1:1 ratios for active laboring pt's, especially if we're managing Pitocin. That nurse had an obligation to that one pt while the OB/GYN probably had an obligation to several pt's and had to prioritize. I believe first and foremost, this will fall on the head of the nurse and the hospital who employed her and then third, the OB whose decision processes in those moments will be closely scrutinized by the courts if it makes it that far.

If the RN was too afraid to be in the room alone at delivery, she needs to reevaluate her ability to perform her function as an L&D nurse. I've had to deliver babies when the OB didn't make it to the delivery on time, it just comes with the territory of our job. Cutting and running is not an option.

[MoJoRNBSN]

This is in Maryland though, and they may not have the same ratios as we do. Maybe the C-Section pt was hers also. Maybe the C-section pt was emergent? who knows. The problem is that this nurse is being scapegoated by the MD and the hospital and it's not fair.

[SanDiegoCaliRN]

This incident actually happened in Florida where there aren't any state mandated ratios. BUT the OB said the nurse was likely too nervous to be in the room alone so clearly she wasn't in the C/S with her. The patient said the nurse told them she'll "have to wait" to have the baby (wish that worked, my job would be much easier. I'd just yell, "Hey you, get in line! It's not your turn to deliver!" and my shift would be nicely organized).

Ok, all sarcasm aside, there are a lot of unknown variables in this case and I'm sure those will come out in court but still, it find it difficult to believe that so many RN's are looking to let the nurse completely off the hook. While there's probably plenty of room to spread responsibility in this case, WE as the primary RNs have a responsibility to our patients and whining and saying "it's not MY fault!" should not be tolerated in this business. This isn't a late project proposal, lives are in our hands and our patients' trust us to provide them care in time of their medical needs. If only they could see and hear all the passing the buck.

They'd rightfully not trust us at all.

[MoJoRNBSN]

Oh, ha ha the "Bethesda" threw me off :)

[MoJoRNBSN]

Additionally how do we know this Dr Deutsch isn't a ***** who hates nurses? How do we know that this isn't a case of the MD trying to deflect blame or responsibility? I think for me, I've seen so many MDs blame the nurses, that's why I'm able to kind of let her off the hook... at least unless and until more info comes to light.