Coworkers Opening Patient Windows During Inclement Weather

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What would you do if you had a colleague that opened patients’ room windows during inclement weather? For example , the other day it was quite cold, cloudy and rainy and someone had opened up all the windows on one unit.  A similar happening occurred during Winter when it was very snowy out.  In both instances, some of the rooms got very cold, almost to the point of being freezing.  What would you do about a colleague who does things such as this?  In our case, we don’t know who is responsible (yet) but wondering about the best approach should their identity become known

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
6 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Very wise.  

However, in regards to keeping the windows closed in the first place, the plan should be...

Do you have staff meetings?  Maybe this should be brought up and staff members asked to please not open the windows when the weather is bad.  It probably won't do any good, but might be a start.  Maybe someone thinks they're preventing covid by airing out the place.

Otherwise, you're just going to have to find the culprit and find out why this person is doing this.

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.
4 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

I have a few threads on the 'blue side'.

But my threads aren't quite as provocative as SB's. Guess I had a milquetoast career.

Alas, posting effectively provocative threads is a skill that requires practice.  Think about this: If one never tries to insert an IV, one will always be bad at IV insertion.  Same when it comes to threads.  If you never create a thread, you'll never master the art of thread-posting....

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11 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

Yes, intrigue, SilverBells, but it has more to do with self esteem. If we can find fault with another, we are telling ourselves and others that we are not like them; we are okay.

Unto them, verily I say, "You are right and I am wrong. You are good and I am bad".

You communicate poorly! Why are you telling people to go right because you are wrong. No one asked for directions! 

And why isn't anyone addressing flatulence as the reason for opening the windows. It's what I do ????

And how did fruits and meat get into the post. Good fruit and smelly meat ??, you are confusing me ???

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.
1 minute ago, TriciaJ said:

Do you have staff meetings?  Maybe this should be brought up and staff members asked to please not open the windows when the weather is bad.  It probably won't do any good, but might be a start.  Maybe someone thinks they're preventing covid by airing out the place.

Otherwise, you're just going to have to find the culprit and find out why this person is doing this.

We have meetings in the mornings, so I agree this is something that should be brought up.  I think whoever has been doing it probably thinks they are playing a prank, but it's not really funny when many of our residents are very vulnerable to the elements and prone to getting sick. 

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Just now, SilverBells said:

We have meetings in the mornings, so I agree this is something that should be brought up.  I think whoever has been doing it probably thinks they are playing a prank, but it's not really funny when many of our residents are very vulnerable to the elements and prone to getting sick. 

Pranksters need to have a come-to-Jesus experience or they need to go down the road.  A place full of vulnerable people is no place for pranks.  What's next - swapping wristbands?

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6 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

The Blue Side reminds me of giving kids a microphone.

On the Yellow Side, they're at least adolescents.

So. What's your point, Curious?

Better signs! A vampire dog is likely to attract everyone ????

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7 minutes ago, SilverBells said:

We have meetings in the mornings, so I agree this is something that should be brought up.  I think whoever has been doing it probably thinks they are playing a prank, but it's not really funny when many of our residents are very vulnerable to the elements and prone to getting sick. 

Why isn't anyone addressing the elephant in the room? And, talking about elephants, they are very gaseous ????

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
20 minutes ago, TriciaJ said:

Do you have staff meetings?  Maybe this should be brought up and staff members asked to please not open the windows when the weather is bad.  It probably won't do any good, but might be a start.  Maybe someone thinks they're preventing covid by airing out the place.

Otherwise, you're just going to have to find the culprit and find out why this person is doing this.

Thank goodness that you've returned TriciaJ!

Please allow me to dissect your thread as an example of good communication.

(Shut up, Curious.)

First, you acknowledged the premise by asking a question which had a possible solution. Then, you gave a good rationale for the behavior.

Silver Bells potentiated the discussion through her typical M.O, in that she acknowledged the solution and negated it with a conjunction:

18 minutes ago, SilverBells said:

We have meetings in the mornings, so I agree this is something that should be brought up.  I think whoever has been doing it probably thinks they are playing a prank, but it's not really funny when many of our residents are very vulnerable to the elements and prone to getting sick. 

I love it when I find people are, generally predictable, in that it reinforces my perception of reality, but I find it's also repetitive and boring.

But boring is good. "Exciting" is not always fun.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Just now, Davey Do said:

(Shut up, Curious.)

Just after I typed those words, an alert came up indicating that you had responded to this thread.

With all due love & respect, Curious, you too are predictable.

I believe I also know what's going to happen now.

(Unless you spite me by doing the opposite of what you were going to do.)

 

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Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.
21 minutes ago, TriciaJ said:

Pranksters need to have a come-to-Jesus experience or they need to go down the road.  A place full of vulnerable people is no place for pranks.  What's next - swapping wristbands?

I'd almost be inclined to provide a corrective action to whomever is opening the windows, honestly.  Common sense would tell you that it's probably not good to expose older adults with weakened immune systems to very cold weather (this is incredibly wise don't you think? I'm surprised we haven't received any orders from doctors: "Nursing staff should ensure resident's windows are closed during cold weather." ).  Maybe a corrective action would be an overreaction, but some things shouldn't have to be said. 

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15 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

Thank goodness that you've returned TriciaJ!

Please allow me to dissect your thread as an example of good communication.

(Shut up, Curious.)

First, you acknowledged the premise by asking a question which had a possible solution. Then, you gave a good rationale for the behavior.

Silver Bells potentiated the discussion through her typical M.O, in that she acknowledged the solution and negated it with a conjunction:

I love it when I find people are, generally predictable, in that it reinforces my perception of reality, but I find it's also repetitive and boring.

But boring is good. "Exciting" is not always fun.

But what about the elephant ??????????

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8 minutes ago, SilverBells said:

I'd almost be inclined to provide a corrective action to whomever is opening the windows, honestly.  Common sense would tell you that it's probably not good to expose older adults with weakened immune systems to very cold weather (this is incredibly wise don't you think? I'm surprised we haven't received any orders from doctors: "Nursing staff should ensure resident's windows are closed during cold weather." ).  Maybe a corrective action would be an overreaction, but some things shouldn't have to be said. 

SB, older people have flatulence ???, why do you refuse to address this obvious wispy solution? You are 'airing' your problem which could imply 'smelliness' and you stick your nose ??in the air ???, which leads me to believe that you secretly ate Mexican ??????and is trying to lay the blame on someone else ?????

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