I'm currently working in a hospital as a patient sitter (let my license lapse in this state) and I've recently observed some real problems and I'm not sure if I should say something or just keep my mouth shut because of my current "lowly" position.
What I saw:
1. Phlebotomist recently came in and drew blood on a patient WITHOUT using gloves - and didn't wash/clean hands before leaving the room. This was a new admit from the ER so diagnosis was not yet updated and just before the Phlebotomist came in the patient told the nurse he had Hep C. I would have said Oh can I get you some gloves but didn't realize what he was doing until after the fact as he was drawing on the other side of the patient from where I was sitting. The policy for Phlebs at our hospital is gloves ALWAYS.
2. Time and again I'm seeing Techs not using proper protection or cleaning equipment before leaving the room, BP cuffs not cleaned, even though there are isolation signs posted at the door, handling patients without gloves/gowns as indicated by isolation signs at door, not washing/cleaning hands. Just plain **** poor or non-existant technique.
As a sitter I'm not supposed to "touch a patient" only observe and the requirements for our job are a high school diploma - no medical knowledge/background necessary. I've been at this job for 5 months now and it's the first one I could get after being unemployed for 3 1/2 years so I'm very very hesitant to say anything to anyone. We work all over the hospital so we don't make a lot of contact with the "locals" - we show up and sit in the room. I have better rapor with the hospital shift supers who we get our assignments from. I don't want to become a "tattle tail" but yeesh, some of the stuff I see is down right scary. Sooooooo do I just keep my yap shut, I'm so far down the food chain, often I'm ignored when staff comes and goes and I soooo need this job and have hopes of getting a full time job at the hospital in some capacity - like unit secretary but my concern is if I rat someone out now (and they'd know it was me) my chances of getting full time work would go down the drain.
I vote for silence, based on years of seeing nitpicking wars started this way. If you report the lab do you plan on reporting everyone that comes into the room and doesn't wash their hands? This could get very messy, in more ways than one.
If you didn't notice in time to stop the action is it possible you didn't notice them using an alcohol rub?
Good question, as I said he was doing it on the other side of the patient and I noticed after the fact as he walked to his cart without gloves with a full syringe and butterfly needle in his bare hands, I didn't witness the whole proceedure because of the angle he was at, but he only went over there once from his cart without gloves.
Also, after much rumination, I've decided to keep silent for now, first it would be just too easy for someone to identify WHO was reporting and I don't want to take the chance on being a target, the techs are the ones who relieve me for the bathroom and lunch and as it stands now often I'm about to pee in my pants before I can get someone for relief. Also, on every computer the screen saver is all about handwashing/cleaning...so I'm just going to figure the powers that be are aware.
Let me see if I understand this. If she was in OH where she has her license, then she is to be a patient advocate and do whatever she needs to do to protect the patient, but since she is in GA and only a sitter, she shouldn't say anything.
Kepp your head down and your powder dry. These folks know what they're supposed to do. The PTB know they're not doing it. Don't let your patient fall outta bed.
Thanks Sue, as you can see by my prior post, I've decided to just keep the old yap shut. I'm not worried about them falling as much as them hurting me or someone else most of my patients are violent and some days I feel like the queen of "code gray", most of the security guys know me by name without looking at my name tag:icon_roll.
Also, never make a report unless you are ready for everyone involved to know who you are. They will find out, anonymous report or not.
You will get more points for honesty from the manager/peers if you speak up at the time, even afterwards. If it's not important enough for you to speak up at the time, why would anyone else think it's important? You will see much, much greater acts that need reporting.
Also, after much rumination, I've decided to keep silent for now, first it would be just too easy for someone to identify WHO was reporting and I don't want to take the chance on being a target, the techs are the ones who relieve me for the bathroom and lunch and as it stands now often I'm about to pee in my pants before I can get someone for relief. Also, on every computer the screen saver is all about handwashing/cleaning...so I'm just going to figure the powers that be are aware.
Thanks everyone.
Way to copout of it. You're right... your potty breaks are more important than patient safety. I was in your corner, right up to the end.
Way to copout of it. You're right... your potty breaks are more important than patient safety. I was in your corner, right up to the end.
It's not just the potty breaks, it's the fact that it would be impossible to report without them finding out WHO reported them and since I'm considered non-medical it could create more problems than just a potty break, I used that as an example.
It's not just the potty breaks, it's the fact that it would be impossible to report without them finding out WHO reported them and since I'm considered non-medical it could create more problems than just a potty break, I used that as an example.
I vote for silence, based on years of seeing nitpicking wars started this way. If you report the lab do you plan on reporting everyone that comes into the room and doesn't wash their hands? This could get very messy, in more ways than one.
If you didn't notice in time to stop the action is it possible you didn't notice them using an alcohol rub?
You mention so many times about your employment situation that I believe you should go with your gut and keep yourself under the radar. Yes, it is right to report. But it is also right to be practical about things and keep your job. If you feel you must do something, stand up, and say something to the person when they get out of earshot of the patient. That should be sufficient to correct the situation in the future while keeping you out of the spotlight.
PsychNurse, she needs the job. Badly. Reporting is bound to get her targeted. I don't know what part of that you can't grasp.
Its not that I don't understand the hard spot she is in. I find it frustrating that facilities will target someone when all they are trying to do is protect people. Is there really absolutely no one she can confide in? As nurses, are we not put in situations where we have to make some hard choices? How about writing an anonymous letter keeping it in a general term sort of way where they can't find out it was her? Was that even considered? That is what I find frustrating. I am not expecting her to walk up to the VP of the hospital and go off. There are ways to advocate for patient safety without getting on the radar. Even if her if letter is ignored, she at least put forth an active effort.
PsychNurse, the best solution is vashtee's - hand him/her a pair of gloves with a "I think you forgot these."
:)
I have just found that if you stick your head up you get whacked, like whack-a-mole. The reporter is always identified and ultimately let go. Ask me how I know this.
and didn't wash/clean hands before leaving the room. This was a new admit from the ER so diagnosis was not yet updated and just before the Phlebotomist came in the patient told the nurse he had Hep C. I would have said Oh can I get you some gloves but didn't realize what he was doing until after the fact as he was drawing on the other side of the patient from where I was sitting. The policy for Phlebs at our hospital is gloves ALWAYS.
DogWmn
575 Posts
Good question, as I said he was doing it on the other side of the patient and I noticed after the fact as he walked to his cart without gloves with a full syringe and butterfly needle in his bare hands, I didn't witness the whole proceedure because of the angle he was at, but he only went over there once from his cart without gloves.
Also, after much rumination, I've decided to keep silent for now, first it would be just too easy for someone to identify WHO was reporting and I don't want to take the chance on being a target, the techs are the ones who relieve me for the bathroom and lunch and as it stands now often I'm about to pee in my pants before I can get someone for relief. Also, on every computer the screen saver is all about handwashing/cleaning...so I'm just going to figure the powers that be are aware.
Thanks everyone.