Hi all...been a long time since I've been here. Between school and working in the ER, not much time. I had an experience a couple of weeks ago and just wondered what the ramifications could be with something like this. Right now I am an ER tech, so I know that legally it can't really affect me, but I'd like to know what can happen to the nurses involved. Thanks.
Patient presented in private vehicle stating "I know I am having a heart attack, it hurts so much!" Patient is 46 yo. Brought into ER by stretcher and taken into trauma bay. Nurse comes in and asks a few very vague questions as patient is writhing in pain on the stretcher. Nurse leaves patient without a line started nor hooking up to monitor. Doc comes in (after listening to nurse stating that patient was a "drug seeker") and asks a few questions of fiance who accompanied patient. Doc leaves. Patient is still not on monitor and is without a line.
A trama alert is called and tech is told to move patient to a regular room. Tech is told not to bother hooking patient up to monitor because "he doesn't need it". Patient still complaining of chest pain and extreme headache. Nurse AGAIN told of this and nothing is done. Trauma rolls into ER and patient that was moved codes. Patient is revived, put on monitor and nurse tells doc that she did this and that as soon as patient was brought into the ER (none of which is true and I knew it).
Who is responsible for this nurses actions legally and can I be dragged in on all of it? She was reported to the nurse manager and as far as I know nothing was done. This particular nurse has also overdosed a pediatric diabetic..order read 5mg and she gave 50mg, overdosed another adult patient in the same manner and is busy flirting with the male EMT's. and having an affair with another nurse in the department, and ignoring most of her duties unless she absolutely has no choice but to do them.
I'm very concerned that she is going to kill one of our patients someday. I understand that there is a nursing shortage, but why in heaven's name would they keep someone on staff like that? What are the ramifications for the rest of the staff that may be on staff when she does these "mistakes"?
