Elopement, told by DON not to document

[ALF_LPN]

I work at an ALF and was told by DON not to document that one of our dementia tenants snuck out the front door. Tenant was wearing a wanderguard, however it did not make the facility alarms go off. Elopement policy states to document the incident completely, however this policy is for the nursing home attached to the Assisted Living Faciltiy. Are Assited Living policies different, since it is more independent? I do not know what to do. I feel the situation should be documented, as this person is not allowed outside the facility alone, and this is not the first escape. I also fear that sometime the tenant may get out and not be found. There will be nothing to support the fact that she has escaped many times if it goes undocumented. However, there is a risk of upseting the DON, and a loss of a job I love if I do not follow DON orders. I would like to talk to her superior about the situation, but all nurses were told we were not allowed to take issues to the superior??? What should we do??

[banditrn]

Thank you for the follow up!!

[caliotter3]

Yes, this web site is a good place to get varied input that is not necessarily available from a person's local co-workers or social circle. There is an amazing array of ideas and experience in the nurses who frequent this board. Glad to hear that the family is taking steps to properly place their family member and that the facility is taking steps to correct the alarm system. That should help matters somewhat. I hope you feel better about the situation, but if you don't, please go with your instincts. Good luck.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Out of curiosity, is the DON mad at you?