Elopement........ahhh help

banditrn · Nov 18, 2006

I'm so sorry this happened to you - I don't have any real answers - just chart what happened, and what you think happened. Why would a non-staff member have access to turning off the alarms? That would be a big issue in my mind - access to those things needs to be VERY limited, and your administration needs to be involved in this!

Is there a system in place for checking that all alarms are on and functional at certain times daily?

Sari_LPN · Nov 18, 2006

The alarm system is functioning, don't really think we check it a certain times. We have a resident who hangs out by the door so when she's sitting there everytime it's opened the alarm goes off. To turn off the alarm it's a number code that goes into a punch pad....not to hard to remember if you watch it done a couple times.

BabyRN2Be · Nov 18, 2006

I'm glad that your pt is safe.

My husband's gma is in an Alzheimer's Care Center. They have one door that the residents trying to make a break tend to congregate. When someone comes in, the residents try to sneak out the door. However, they would only get so far and then they'd have to confront another set of double doors. If it wasn't Alzheimer's related it would be a little funny to watch.

Why did non-staff feel it right to turn off the alarm? Maybe your unit either needs this to be in a restricted area, or if it can't be moved, signs need to be placed around saying that it's for the safety of the residents.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2006

Yikes...I hear you on the non staff members turning off alarms. Some of our doors are set up with number pads and the back door has a button to press when it is opened and an alarm goes off. Everyone knows..you just press the button. (Well..the door before that has a wander alarm punch number on it) Still thing like this happen,when you have family/ visitors who think that they are just helping out someone who needs a door opened for them.

Maybe changing the codes more often or weekly would help cut down on visitors opening doors that they shouldn't?

jetscreamer101 · Nov 21, 2006

long time ago had a gas/conveinience station call for a ride home for this guy. He'd eloped and went to the store for a candy bar. No one knew he was missing. H'd had to cross a major highway without lights/crosswalks.

Wasn't on management end so don't know what happened, but I don't think I read it in the paper or anything like that.

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Nov 21, 2006

Don't you just love locked units? I got a new admit one time. Admissions lady brought him in the unit, he looked at me, high tailed it out the doors to the locked courtyard and just shimmied right over the fence. I think he was on the unit a total of 30 seconds. Evidently he was not appropriate for our facility.

Sari_LPN · Nov 21, 2006

Well today was my first day back to work since this happened. I can actually say I love my management... My DON came up to me, patted me on the back and said heard you had a bad night fri.....kinda joking with me. When I stated how horrible I felt, how inadequate. She smiled and said "It was not your fault, we do believe a nonstaff member let her out." State has been notified, don't know what the outcome will be. But knowing that management is standing by me, not ready to blame it all on me, makes me feel much better.

daisey_may · Nov 21, 2006

Don't you just love locked units? I got a new admit one time. Admissions lady brought him in the unit, he looked at me, high tailed it out the doors to the locked courtyard and just shimmied right over the fence. I think he was on the unit a total of 30 seconds. Evidently he was not appropriate for our facility.

Somehow picturing this in my head had me laughing so hard! :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

Although, it makes me sad, too. You're right, obviously he wasn't right for your facility...

Simplepleasures · Nov 21, 2006

Oh you certainly do have good management!!

banditrn · Nov 21, 2006

Well today was my first day back to work since this happened. I can actually say I love my management... My DON came up to me, patted me on the back and said heard you had a bad night fri.....kinda joking with me. When I stated how horrible I felt, how inadequate. She smiled and said "It was not your fault, we do believe a nonstaff member let her out." State has been notified, don't know what the outcome will be. But knowing that management is standing by me, not ready to blame it all on me, makes me feel much better.

Sari - yes, you gotta love management like that!!:chuckle They've probably "been there, done that." I'm glad they're backing you up!

Elopement was one of those funny words I learned when I started in LTC!! :cool: I STILL picture a couple of oldsters sneaking out to get married! Why don't they call it 'breaking out' or something? :)

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Nov 22, 2006

Somehow picturing this in my head had me laughing so hard! :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle
Although, it makes me sad, too. You're right, obviously he wasn't right for your facility...

Even as it happened, it was funny. My charge nurse was FREAKING OUT. I'm like, uh, call the cops! Kinda sad too, the city police cornered him at a gas station down the street and he was holding several officers at bay with one of those squeegies you clean your windshield with...