Charged with abuse for causing skin tears

TriciaJ, RN · Jun 2, 2017

Who exactly is out to get you, and why? Other than the previous false accusation, have you had any other problems at work? Did you thoroughly document the dressing change? Was there a previous description of the wound?

Very hard for any of us to predict what's going to happen next. It's going to depend on your employment history, whether they actually report you to the Board and what an investigation shows. In some places, a skin tear is an automatic incident report. Unless everything you saw during the dressing change was already documented you should have reported any new lesions.

At this point, all I can do is wish you good luck.

caliotter3 · Jun 2, 2017

It might have been a good idea to have started a job search after you were cleared the first time. Now things are more complicated.

ceneil76 · Jun 2, 2017

Hi, I can't tell you when the time is was measured. My facility doesn't do pictures. Haveing never seen the wound before I was unaware if I created new lesions. I was unable to document because I was sent home before I had a chance. And I feel this is coming from the DON.

ceneil76 · Jun 3, 2017

I had started to,look before hand. My biggest regret is that after I was cleared of the prior charge I didn't say no thank you. I was stuck in the thinking you have to have a job to get one.

cleback · Jun 3, 2017

Yikes, just yikes. You come across as level headed in your post, so I'm wondering what you did to tick someone off this badly.

Honestly, I would be ready to get legal advice if they do report you.

ceneil76 · Jun 3, 2017

Hi,

I'm wondering that my self. I do tend to tell it like it is. So I'm sure management doesn't like that. They did tell me that they are reporting it to state. I do have legal representation. I am leaving nothing to chance. I do feel as though this is a malicious attack against my character. But I will deal with one issue at a time.

TriciaJ, RN · Jun 3, 2017

Hi,
I'm wondering that my self. I do tend to tell it like it is. So I'm sure management doesn't like that. They did tell me that they are reporting it to state. I do have legal representation. I am leaving nothing to chance. I do feel as though this is a malicious attack against my character. But I will deal with one issue at a time.

Yes, if you are outspoken, management will find underhanded ways to retaliate. Been there. Glad you have representation. Good luck.

ceneil76 · Jun 3, 2017

Thanks. I'm trying not to completely freak out. It was very underhanded of them to tell me at 5:00 when they knew I couldn't get ahold of anyone. But I have some great friends helping me through this. At this point all I can do is pray.

allnurses Guide · Jun 4, 2017

I worked at a SNF. I removed a bandage and it was fairly routine didn't think anything of it. I replaced the dressing with what I saw. when I removed the dressing there was a small amount of blood never having seen the wound before I didn't think much of it. As sometimes wounds can bleed. I cleaned the wound replaced the dressing and went on with my night.Later that night the administrator told me that the CNA thought I was rough in handling the dressing change. Was told that CNA reported to another nurse and then management. I was placed on leave pending investigation. Today after a five day investigation they decided it is reportable to state. Being accused of elder abuse for causing skin tears. I don't believe I did cause the skin tears. Is this something that can ruin my license? Is my job being unreasonable? I feel that the facility is out to get me. They accused me of pushing a resident when I wasn't even in the room. I have witnesses to back me up. And I was cleared of all charges.

In every facility where I have worked I was required to thoroughly document the condition of a wound during a dressing change. That includes description of the wound and measurements, especially if this is your first encounter with the wound. Part if the problem appears to be inadequate documentation. Brush up on those skills. Having worked in the SNF environment I know only to well how easy it is to get a bit sloppy with documentation.

Be aware that just because something is reported to the BON doesn't mean that you will lose your license, but you have learned a valuable lesson and proper through documentation will save your butt every time.

Hppy

ceneil76 · Jun 4, 2017

Hi,

Yes. I should have measured and documented. I had saved it for when I could get to it. I will never do that again.

Purple_roses · Jun 4, 2017

In every facility where I have worked I was required to thoroughly document the condition of a wound during a dressing change. That includes description of the wound and measurements, especially if this is your first encounter with the wound. Part if the problem appears to be inadequate documentation. Brush up on those skills. Having worked in the SNF environment I know only to well how easy it is to get a bit sloppy with documentation.
Be aware that just because something is reported to the BON doesn't mean that you will lose your license, but you have learned a valuable lesson and proper through documentation will save your butt every time.
Hppy

It sounds like management hopped on the case before OP had a chance to document it that day. While it's ideal to document as things occur throughout the day, I don't think it's always realistic. When a patient need comes up, documentation can easily go down on the priority list. I think it was rotten of management to make this an issue before OP even had a chance to finish documentation.