About a week ago, I noticed that the HHA that comes in to our LTC to work with the hospice pts. didn't appear to be doing much with them during her time with them, and was caught on her cell phone more than once by our CNAs who later told me, prompting my conversation. Because she works for a different agency and is not a direct employee, I talked to the hospice nurse supervisor when she came in. I asked her to clarify hospice's expectations of the HHA role, and how much direction the wanted us to be providing within our LTC. I received very positive feedback and was glad I spoke up and advocated for our pts.
A few days later, a different hospice nurse came in and asked us how things were going, so I told her the conversation I'd had with the previous nurse and she pulled out a notebook and asked for specifics. I made it clear that we needed the HHA to step it up, and really just wanted to know how much direction they were comfortable with us giving the HHA, and that I'd already talked to another hospice nurse. She asked what specific things we wanted the HHA to be doing.
So we went through each pt, and I gave her ideas...this pt. scratches himself easily, please make sure nails are short...family is particular about appearance on these two, help with their meals, help with their bathes, etc, etc, etc....I thought it was a very positive interaction "wow, look what happens when we communicate well and work hard for our residents!" was my thought.
This morning I found a printed copy of an e-mail she sent (not to our LTC) with a comment in it that said
"Then the 'complaints' from these dumb jocks ensue..." with bullet points about the things we'd went over!!!
I was aghast! Why would she say that? I don't know how she could have twisted what I said! The HHA was actually here again and did a fabulous job. She was obviously spoken to, and took the feedback to heart. She did a great job. Our hospice pts. got the extra TLC they needed, got their extra showers, no one had to wait to be fed, etc.
Later in the day I found the copy she intended for us to see, without typos, errors, or any derogatory comments toward our staff. I gave it to one of our nurse managers, they were shocked too...this is not the end of it.
I don't think you were out of line at all to be upset or to be talking to a supervisor. VERY unprofessional to call you 'a bunch of jocks'....that'd get my panties in a knot real quick. HHA needed a kick in the behind to get her job done well.
How did you get that email you weren't supoosed to have, Sunny?
She had printed it out and was referring to it as she spoke to one of the nurses and left it laying on the desk when she left. The nurse (this was on NOC) said she had a hard time printing it, I'm assuming she ended up printing the "bad" copy and the copy she inteded to leave. Somehow she ended up leaving both.
tencat
1,350 Posts
I don't think you were out of line at all to be upset or to be talking to a supervisor. VERY unprofessional to call you 'a bunch of jocks'....that'd get my panties in a knot real quick. HHA needed a kick in the behind to get her job done well.