Did I jump the gun?

krob0729 · Aug 12, 2005

Last night a resident was found on the floor. She normally doesn't move much at all (very stiff) and is non-verbal. I have no idea how she got on the floor, when I assessed her however, her VS were fine, neuros where fine also, she had a small bruise on her temple and it seemed as if she had a little bit of a painfull response when I moved her hip. I called 911, because I just didn't feel comfortable picking her up from the floor and manipulating her in this state with just my CNAs. The paramedics checked her out, put her back in bed and didn't think she had anything broken. I called the doc and he ordered a portable X-Ray in am. She doesn't have any history of falls. Do you think that I went overboard?

better safe than sorry. if u had done the other, you can bet all heck woulda broke lose over it..CYOA I always say

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 12, 2005

better safe than sorry. if u had done the other, you can bet all heck woulda broke lose over it..CYOA I always say

I agree, you weren't sure....so you did the best thing for her. :)

pattymac · Aug 12, 2005

I would have done EXACTLY the same thing...I would rather have the "did I do too much" feeling in my stomach, than the "did I do the enough/right thing" feeling after I get home...

BabyRN2Be · Aug 12, 2005

Did you go overboard? Absolutely not. What if you had gotten the resident up and she did have a broken hip? That would have been a disaster waiting to happen. No, you did the right thing. If everything is well documented, then you are protected if it turns out that she has any broken bones.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Aug 12, 2005

hmmmmm...do your paramedics have XRAY vision? If I call rescue, I expect they will take the resident to the hospital. You didn't over react at all.

johnson0424 · Aug 12, 2005

no way did you go overboard, you did awesome and who says the paramedics are md's anyways, they should have trusted your judgement and took the resident to the er. if we know anything about the elderly it is that they can go spirally down real fast. way to go...dont doubt yourself...

lpn1313 · Aug 13, 2005

Absolutely you did the right thing! You had a fall with both a head injury and a hip injury. If that happened where I work, the patient would be 911'd out the door as fast as possible. And since when do paramedics get to decide who goes to the hospital? I can't imagine that. We've had a few disagree with our decision to send someone, but they've never refused or said they don't need to go.

HuggyPuglet · Aug 13, 2005

Absolutely you did the right thing! You had a fall with both a head injury and a hip injury. If that happened where I work, the patient would be 911'd out the door as fast as possible. And since when do paramedics get to decide who goes to the hospital? I can't imagine that. We've had a few disagree with our decision to send someone, but they've never refused or said they don't need to go.

I agree! I've worked as an EMT and a nurse and no WAY does an EMT make that sort of judgment. I'm flabbergasted! :crying2:

katwoman7755 · Aug 13, 2005

better safe than sorry. if u had done the other, you can bet all heck woulda broke lose over it..CYOA I always say

I agree...if you hadn't called, no doubt there would have been some sort of fracture...then family calling the state...then someone reporting you the BON......the worse case senario stuff. Always err on the side of caution.

Kathryn

Chel · Aug 13, 2005

Mornin' all ~

I have a favorite little adage. "When in doubt, send them out". It hasn't failed me yet.

Chel

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Aug 13, 2005

I agree...if you hadn't called, no doubt there would have been some sort of fracture...then family calling the state...then someone reporting you the BON......the worse case senario stuff. Always err on the side of caution.
Kathryn

Also agree, you did the right thing....you did what any PRUDENT nurse would have done.