falls in the home

[GingerSue]

this is what happened this afternoon, while I was visiting in

a seniors apartment building - a knock at the door - when we

answered the lady asked if someone could help because her

aunt had fallen in her apartment (down the hall) - so I went

to see what happened and to help if possible.

The elderly lady was sitting on the floor, said she was not

injured, but that her legs had given out - so she went down

onto the floor.

The two of us got her up to sit in a chair.

But - what next can be done? - if a person cannot walk - then

help will be needed in many areas fairly soon - can't just leave

her sitting on the chair.

[RN1989]

This person is not your patient therefore not your responsibility. These people asked for your help to get her off the floor, not to maintain any kind of relationship with her or to plan further care for her. You did not specify if you were a guest at this Sr. Center type of apts or if you were there as a HH nurse. If you were there as a HH nurse seeing another pt, your employer could be held liable if you butt into this other person's life when it was not your business. If you truly believe the person is in danger, than a call to APS is warranted. Otherwise the best you can do is to assist as you did to get her off the floor and suggest to her/her family that perhaps she needs to get some further assistance to prevent other incidents from happening. You cannot be "there" for every one, particularly when they have not been entrusted to your care.

[Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN]

I would not have moved her until EMS was called, especially since she was unable to get up. What if she hurt her neck or back, or broke her hip? OK, so you were a good neighbor and helped this lady into a chair - if a person can't walk, who ordinarly can walk, a call to 911 is appropriate here.

You are covered legally by the "good samaritan" act, but as a nurse, you should be aware that your actions outside of your facility are under more scruitiny then the average "passerby", especially in our litigeous society. Sad but true. And if you are a visiting nurse, you can be subject to discipline according to your agency since you are an extension of that agency when you are in the field. Too risky for me. I'd have called 911 and waited until EMS arrived, given my name and left the scene once they were finished with me.

If the family wanted to sue the facility for negligence, they could avow all responsibility, because a non-employee assisted the resident before they were notified. Then you have a lawyer asking you why you moved a "trauma" patient without a board and collar....

Blee