corrections and privatization

jailDON · Jul 10, 2004

Are you in Texas?

bsnecu99 · Jul 11, 2004

Use of UAPs to medicate is dangerous. Med nurses (LVNs at my facility) do visual assessments as they pass meds, make referrals to the clinic on people who would not ask for help otherwise, and have saved lives. We use UAPs for planting and reading PPDs, for drawing blood and for filing only. The ratio is for every 20 licensed nurses there is only two UAPs employed.
I work for Prison Health Services.

We have two major men's prisons in this area and LPNs do most of the grunt type of work. However, med techs are crawling all over other facilities. And in facilities such as residential homes, independent living and other non-skilled nursing homes, there is NO LPN or RN on staff at all! Doesn't that make you queasy? Imagine someone with 10 weeks of training passing Digoxin, Coumadin, Oxycotin, Proscar, and Dilantin? I have been a nurse for five years and continue to learn about meds literally daily. I point my finger to the state boards of nursing for allowing this unprofessional crap. I went to school four years to be a nurse and believe me, I realize I am responsible for everything! I don't want to be responsible for a 19 year old med-tech passing 20 mg of Coumadin instead of two. What you think?

bsnecu99 · Jul 11, 2004

I have seen HIV patients with active Tuberculosis not react at all. The reaction is dependant upon the body's immune system to be in working order.
Once an employee came to me distressed because the evening RN read her TB test as a positive. She had a tiny 3mm bruise and absolutely no induration. It's not the title but the training that is important. Only Health Department trained certified readers can interpret PPDs. This RN had not been to the class yet and should not have read the PPD.

Ha! I read your posting with amusement, even though I thoroughly agree with your words! Our local county health department had an ad in the paper for a Public Health Nurse I for nearly a year. I applied, as well as a friend of mine who also holds a BSN. The posting specifically required ONE YEAR of acute care. ONE YEAR. They had hired, not a week before, a 22 year old brand new grad who had worked for less than 3 months in NICU. She couldn't cut it. And this same ditz was doing PPDs. So what do ya know?

bsnecu99 · Jul 11, 2004

You say: "It's not the title but the training that is important" - Training is important, but licensing and scope of practice is even more important. The county jail policy that "only Health Department trained certified readers can interpret PPDs" has nothing to do with Texas law and what the scope of practice is for an unlicensed Medical Assistant. As a nurse attorney, I am just giving you my educated advise regarding the risks. You can take it or leave it.

Hey Fiesty! You sound like a totally cool nurse. I think you have hit the nail on the head also. Can you answer just one question for me? How do megahospitals get around Board of Nursing rules? Thanks.

Ion · Jul 19, 2004

Has anyone noticed that numerous state operated facilities are being privatized by cca and wackenhut. They are using uaps frequently in these settings, any feedback would be appreciated.

CCA is better than the state Prisons here in AZ. The state DOC allows hostages to be held for weeks. Even a small town here would never allow hostages to be held for weeks, but if you are a correctional employee your life means nothing to the state. :angryfire