Do you think anonymous means just that?

[BinkieRN, BSN, RN]

We have a questionaire going on at work. We log onto the internet to fill it out. We are told it is totally anonymous and it asks us questions about our managers, if we feel adequately staffed, adequately paid, have issues with other employees or other departments. I would probably believe it is anonymous except for the fact that in order to log in we have to use our SSN. It is a manatory questionaire. Many have logged on but not answered all the questions. I answered them all honestly. I hope I don't get myself into trouble. I love my managers but do have some issues with other employees that I know do not follow the rules. I didn't use their names but I think it wouldn't be too hard to figure out who they are since it's already common knowledge. Thanks for your opinions

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Management insists that ours are anonymous too, but I have a hard time believing it for the same reason. BTW, how do they know who's completed the survey if it's really anonymous?

If they truly want a non-biased report, they need to change that.

Are you able to access the site without logging in from an outside computer?

[BinkieRN, BSN, RN]

Are you able to access the site without logging in from an outside computer?

It can be accessed from any computer that has an internet connection whether that be at work or at home.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

It can be accessed from any computer that has an internet connection whether that be at work or at home.

I probably wouldn't answer the questionnaire then, and if anything was said to me about it, it would only prove the case that it was not anonymous, don't you think?

[RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

totally not anonymous. even if you didnt give your SSN: they can still tell who logged in to that computer. if you use SSN: well you know that. they can track everything. the only way i can see it possibly being anonymous is to have a computer logged on in a room where anyone and everyone can do it when they want. but then they can always also tell who did it by who worked that shift and all that... OMGosh, its never anonymous in the world these days!!

agreed?

[LTC86]

We had a survey at our job too. I stayed away from specifics because its easy to figure out who I am. I'm one of three unit secretaries and the only one that works on the weekends. So I couldn't express any concerns about the weekends because it would be a dead give-away. Our survey was administered by an "outside" party but they ask questions that can be used to identify you like position, FTE, hire date, which administrator do you report to, etc.

[BinkieRN, BSN, RN]

I probably wouldn't answer the questionnaire then, and if anything was said to me about it, it would only prove the case that it was not anonymous, don't you think?

Bingo!

[llg, PhD, RN]

Whether or not it is truly annonymous depends on how the software is designed and who, if anyone, has access to whatever connections might exist in the program.

I was the investigator in a study that involved such an annonymous internet survey. That study was truly annonymous. The use of the employee's SS number (or in our case, the employee number) was used by the software to verify that the person completing the survey was actually an employee. No one from our hospital (including me) had access to the computer code needed to link up the individual responses with the identification number. I only got the tablulated results sent to me by the company (in another state) who had designed the computer program. So, that study was truly annonymous for the staff.

It all comes down to ethics -- and whether or not the person conducting the survey is behaving in ways consistent with the generally accepted rules about such things. When asked to participate in such a survey, you can (and should) ask them to explain their data protection procedures -- and them make a decision about your participation based on that information and your opinion of their trustworthiness.

[Music in My Heart]

Our school uses "anonymous" surveys delivered through our course software. They say it's anonymous. As llg says, whether it is or isn't depends entirely on whether they're telling the truth.

Personally I am very guarded about what I'll say. It's not that I don't trust them but since the anonymity is not guaranteed, I won't share anything that I wouldn't share publicly.

[EvilLiberal]

I think "Big Brother" is always watching and act accordingly.

Suzy

[kristenncrn]

Sorry to say that I also don't think it is anonymous.

In our facility, our "anonymous" tip line results in an immediate "heads up" call to our manager - informing her of every identifying detail that the HR folks can get out of the caller (including caller ID if possible.)

That being said - I fill out my surveys honestly, because what are they going to do? Yell at me? Again?

I'm already seen as too political, too "idealistic" and "out there" when it comes to "nurse's rights." Someday, they'll surely find something to else to get me for, but for now I just keep my head down most of the time... and take the gloves off on the questions that say...

Rate the truth of this statement

"Staffing levels never impact the safety of my patients." 0-10

And I write negative 6.

[pinoy_guy]

it all comes down to ethics -- and whether or not the person conducting the survey is behaving in ways consistent with the generally accepted rules about such things.

we always had these reminders to tell management when there were issues on patient safety or care. supposed to be confidential.

what i later discovered was that everything told in confidence to the manager...her clique of nurses would know about it by the next day.

btw, her clique of nurses were the ones i told the manager about--like leaving the hospital anytime they want without telling the other nurses, then being rude when i asked them where they went. (like a case when the secretary mentioned they saw a nurse drive back to the hospital.)

so much for confidentiality.