discovered and reported falsification of VS

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Specializes in Trauma/ICU step-down.

Hello Nurses!

I need to vent and am interested in others' experiences... Yesterday, as I went to administer a BP med around 1600, I checked the patient's VS machine history and the last set of VS was taken at 0805. Now I specifically remember checking the electronic chart around 1230 and seeing a full set of VS documented for 1200 by my CNA. I re-checked the e-chart and confirmed that noon VS were entered. My heart sank! I printed off the VS machine history and showed my CRN, too P.O.'d to confront the CNA myself in a professional manner...took my first break of the shift (I work 7-1930, was super busy) while the CRN spoke with the CNA. The CNA proceeded to interrupt my break to chastise me for not asking her about it before going to my charge and then offered me a BS line that she took her assigned noon VS manually "for practice" because in her last review the manager said she needed more practice... YEAH RIGHT!!! I pointed out that she sure as hell didn't take the temp or SAO2 manually, so where'd she come up with those numbers????? As I expected, she couldn't explain that and walked away... I only managed to sit in the break room for a couple minutes before I was compelled (by a sick icky feeling) to go check the chart and VS machine of my other patient she was assigned to... Same ******* thing!!!!!!! GRRRRRRR. I called my RN manager @ home on her cell phone to report the CNA. My manager stated that the conversation the CNA alluded to where our manager asked the CNA to practice manual BPs never occurred... At my manager's request my CRN and I initiated a check of every single patient's chart this CNA was assigned to that day....UGH :mad:

Unfortunately, this CNA is quite popular with a lot of the RNs, to the point that many of them hang out socially. The unit is quite clique-ish, and I am anticipating that I am going to get a lot of "poop" for turning her in, as she will be fired, I'm sure. Already, some people are taking her "side", like I'm just trying to get her in trouble! I am in no way regretting reporting her. My first responsibility is to my patients. :nurse: While I would love to be well-liked by my peers, and generally am, I'm not there to be everyone's buddy. What she did is unethical, dangerous for the patients, and makes me wonder how long has she been doing this? How many patients have been medicated based on her false data? It makes me wanna scream!

Anyone else been in a similar situation or have any advise for me? :confused:

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I discovered that a nurse was falsifying data and reported it to the nurse supervisor. Not a thing was done about it. I believe she works at the same facility to this day, about 20 years later. She is the same nurse who spent 6 to 7 hours of her 8 hour night shift, fast asleep. When a person is a favored one, you can accomplish nothing by bringing to light their negligence or wrongdoing. You will probably accomplish trouble for yourself though, if you insist on honesty in the workplace.

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Specializes in LTC.

Ugh. I have unfortunately been in the exact same situation. The defensiveness when caught and all. I started looking in the room when they take their vitals. I can't for all, of course, but it lets them know I am watching...hate to babysit but it seems like I have to :(

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A fascinating story though is this: a CNA was fired at our facility when she was observed going from room to room, "doing" her vital signs with no equipment at all. I mean, really, at least carry the equipment around with you if you are going to falsify everything!

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Wow. I, too, find it maddening what she did. Patient care is compromised by her actions. If you were relying on that data before giving dig or metoprolol you could severely brady a patient if their HR was already low. What she did was dangerous and I would have reported her too. I probably would have spoken to her first before going to management, but I understand you were angry and why you went to management first. The scary part is that since you are delegating VS duties to her, if a patient was compromised, it could come back on you.

So sorry you had to deal with this. Your unit is better off without a negligent CNA. Hang in there with the co-workers. I hate the clique crap.

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I had a CNA tell me he could do manual B.P.s w/o a stethoscope:eek: I suspected he was part BAT with sonar....definitely wasn't human :devil: He didn't last long.

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Specializes in Trauma/ICU step-down.
I had a CNA tell me he could do manual B.P.s w/o a stethoscope:eek: I suspected he was part BAT with sonar....definitely wasn't human :devil: He didn't last long.

OMG!!! Your reply made me LOL so hard! Thanks, I needed that! :lol2:

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Specializes in Trauma/ICU step-down.
When a person is a favored one, you can accomplish nothing by bringing to light their negligence or wrongdoing. You will probably accomplish trouble for yourself though, if you insist on honesty in the workplace.

Wow, I appreciate your reply, but it's so bleak! Only by insisting on honesty, accountabilty, and integrity can we bring honor to our profession... Call me idealistic, but I have high standards and am not willing to compromise my patient care to avoid "trouble"...

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

We had someone at our facility who would even falsify abnormal vitals. It is NOT okay to tell the RN that an oncology patient has a temp of 38.7 when it's actually 36.9C!

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Specializes in Trauma/ICU step-down.
A fascinating story though is this: a CNA was fired at our facility when she was observed going from room to room, "doing" her vital signs with no equipment at all. I mean, really, at least carry the equipment around with you if you are going to falsify everything!

Maybe the CNA was magic or psychic? lol

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Wow, I appreciate your reply, but it's so bleak! Only by insisting on honesty, accountabilty, and integrity can we bring honor to our profession... Call me idealistic, but I have high standards and am not willing to compromise my patient care to avoid "trouble"...

Yeah....I hear ya- just don't be surprised or bank on changes. Some places require you to have still and video images of someone with an ax in their hands hovering over the bed of some poor soul before they'd believe that something is definitely a "bit" off....:mad:

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Maybe the CNA was magic or psychic? lol

Friends with Batboy..... :)

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