I got a call from the 11-7 nurse supervisor last night saying that I didn't report a fall. I was wondering what's your facility's description of a fall? I didn't report the fall because my resident who to my perception didn't fell, she 'almost fell'. Resident was already at the edge of her wheelchair when I caught it and we eventually ended up on the floor with her knees touching the floor. She is 260 pounds and I'm only 110 and 5 foot tall, trying to stand the resident all by myself was impossible. She was holding the edge of her bed so tight that I can't even stand her up. I was there for 5 minutes and thank God that my aide passed by and called another aide to help her put to bed. Now, the said CNA told the 11-7 shift (she worked a double that night) that she wants to go home at the middle of her shift because her back hurts because this said resident fell.
Bottom line is: In your point of view, do you think that my resident fell and that it requires to be reported?
"....being a new nurse who makes sure nobody falls on my shift...."
I've been a nurse since 1982 (yikes!) and I still try to make sure nobody falls on my shift.
And, just my , most residents should be IN BED before they receive Ambien.
I am going to think of this everytime I give Ambien. There have been a couple of patients who I know weren't in bed but theres one that the only time to get any medicine in them is when they are awake and social. (supervised and in w/c).
If you understood the reasoning for incident reports you would realize that since the situation could repeat itself and requires a preventative action or next time might not end so lucky- it MUST be properly reported.
Don't beat yourself up about it and i wouldn't make an issue at work, you made an honest mistake in judgment and now know better.
When in doubt, write it up as an incident report!!
"....being a new nurse who makes sure nobody falls on my shift...."
I've been a nurse since 1982 (yikes!) and I still try to make sure nobody falls on my shift.
And, just my , most residents should be IN BED before they receive Ambien.
Great story:
While covering a call-off, I gave a patient his Ambien in bed at 9:30 pm. I wished him pleasant dreams and went off to my other responsibilities. An hour later I get a call from the street that the patient was found lying in the middle of the street about a good 10 minute walk from the facility. After asking another nurse to cover my unit, I ran out with a spare CNA driving to the area where I found a huge crowd in the street all surrounding this poor guy who was fast asleep. An ambulance and police car had been called the same time as us. This patient is mildly retarded with a slightly unkempt look (his insistence) from our Assisted Living unit and has a bracelet identifying him. They were planning on calling a trauma unit to make sure he was transferred to the ER with a collar in case he fell and broke his neck or something.
I wanted to avoid a whole to-do with the hospital etc. I went over, identified us (we were in uniform and ID tag) explained that he belongs back home in his bed as he took a sleeping pill an hour ago. We went to gently pick him up and walk him to the car. The crowd went wild, " NO, He broke his neck and needs the ER" " Are you crazy lady. he needs professional help" "wait for the paramedics from the trauma ambulance" etc.
The police told me that I lacked jurisdiction and I should wait for the trauma team. SO I said, " Look guys, you are making mountains out of molehills, he just went sleep walking and then lied down on the street, he needs to get back to bed, we will take total responsibility" . The police got angry so I said I was going back to work, the hospital can contact us when they are finished but we will not be paying any ambulance or hospital bills. Quick as a wink, the police looked at the ambulance driver and released the guy to our care. I was back before the end of the shift (11:00) and the patient was safe and sound in bed, not a scratch on him and no recollection of the event. We now instruct the guard/reception staff: do not allow him to leave the facility after receiving his Ambien!!!
, most residents should be IN BED before they receive Ambien.
Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN
1,261 Posts
I am going to think of this everytime I give Ambien. There have been a couple of patients who I know weren't in bed but theres one that the only time to get any medicine in them is when they are awake and social. (supervised and in w/c).