I work in LTC. Small facility. Everyone knows everyone that type of thing. A nurse taking care of a resident who was obviously in his last days of life did something that upset everyone working there. This patient had bed sores due to not eating. They of course smelt and were draining. The nurse, in front of aides, applied the dressing and then proceeded to spray disinfectant spray. Not in the room, but on the patient. Of course the first thing the aides did was call the on-call nurse. She filled out an incident report and spoke to the nurse telling her not to do that. When the director came in following that weekend, the nurse was given a suspension. Are we all wrong in thinking that this should have been treated as a case of abuse. Reported and termination of the nurse? Not only does abuse come to mind, but what about the dignity of the resident. I cannot comprehend spraying lysol on someone who is laying there dying and in pain. I can't imagine what that person felt. The resident has since deceased, but we are very concerned about the competency of this nurse and feel that this should not be it. This nurse now gets babysat on the weekends that she works. I just am not satisfied with this. I know that we are in short supply of nurses, but I am quite certain that everyone would fill in to get rid of her. What is the best steps we can take to protect our patients? I want to do this for my patients and my fellow workers. I need to show them that someone does care how they feel and how the residents are treated.
Aug 16, '02
OMG!!! WHAT AN EVIL, UNFEELING, HEARTLESS, COLD
WENCH!!! 
Hell YES she should've been fired!!!! And then reported to the BON!! That IS abuse!!! I wonder how she would feel if someone did that to HER dying mother or father?? Or better yet, to HER??
People like that disgust me. You can only hope for poetic justice and that karma comes around and bites them in the a$$.........
HARD.
That is so AWFUL!! One of you should file a complaint with the ombudsman. That's just awful.
Aug 16, '02
What Shay said!!
Report her now, to your admin and if that goes nowhere, to the agency that oversees LTC in your state.
bob
Aug 16, '02
report it to the board of nursing-----
Aug 16, '02
Shay,you put it so well.
Report her sorrya** to the BON asap!
Aug 16, '02
OMG!!!! Heartless B*TCH!
Oh how the poor patient felt!
When I worked with adults, and still even some kids, I feel so guilty if I even have one of those uncontrollable pseudo-dry heaves.
I guess "tact" is not one of her strong suits. How long has she been a nurse?
If you've become that de-sensitized to be that insensitive you need to leave nursing!
She gets babysat while on duty?!?! Who has the time to do that let alone care for their own patients?!?!?!?!
Go to the higher-ups!!! :angryfire
Aug 20, '02
I just can't believe what I'm hearing! Please report this person. She has no business being in Nursing!!! :angryfire
Aug 20, '02
Hard to believe a person could be so cold-hearted.
She should be reported to the DON and state board. :angryfire
Aug 20, '02
WOW, I AM AT A LOSS FOR WORDS...I AGREE WITH WHAT EVERYONE ESLE HAS SAID.....REPORT HER SORRY A$$ TO THE BON.............
Aug 21, '02
I'd say that you have a right not to be satisfied with her only getting a suspension and being babysat. Report her to the regulatory body (College of Nurses, BON)
Aug 21, '02
That is cold blooded. I remember when I was taking care of a patient with a very large stage 4 draining wound I packed and it help keep the smell at bay how could someone be so damn mean. If anyone would ever do that a loved one of mine I would shove that can up her raggedy derriere!
Aug 21, '02
I agree. Pretty darned insensitive and heartless. Did she spray it into the wound too? Did the family know?
Do you know the the brand of deodorizer? I tried looking up the material safety data sheets (MSDS) on several sprays like Lysol. Most had the disclaimer "harmless if used as directed." If it was non-toxic to tissue there might not be evidence to support a board action.
Aug 21, '02
Don't give up on this, but let the appropriate individuals handle this, ie, the investigation. Keep reporting and continue being a patient advocate, that is what this is all about really. Too often we allow this type of treatment to be swept under the rug because of the shortage but in the long run it only hurts moral and speaks loudly in a negative way about the nursing profession. This nurse needs to be disciplined and held accountable for her actions.
Now not in defense of the nurse but just a thought, be sure this is not rumor, and that slander is not happening here. Also, has this nurse had the opportunity to speak. It is also too often that we assume someones guilty before hearing "their" story and it happens most often in cases involving CNA's and nurses.
If the facts are as you say. It is abuse!!!!!, and should be treated as such.
Aug 16, '02Occupation: RN Joined: Nov '01; Posts: 1,487; Likes: 70OMG!!! WHAT AN EVIL, UNFEELING, HEARTLESS, COLD WENCH!!!
Aug 16, '02Occupation: Pediatric Rehab Specialty: 8 year(s) of experience in Pediatrics ; Joined: Sep '01; Posts: 150; Likes: 6OMG!!!! Heartless B*TCH!
Aug 20, '02Occupation: RN-Renal unit Joined: Jul '01; Posts: 963; Likes: 25Hard to believe a person could be so cold-hearted.
Aug 21, '02Occupation: Staff nurse Joined: Aug '99; Posts: 320I'd say that you have a right not to be satisfied with her only getting a suspension and being babysat. Report her to the regulatory body (College of Nurses, BON)
Aug 21, '02Occupation: RN-i (RETIRED) Specialty: ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89 ; From: US ; Joined: May '00; Posts: 14,479; Likes: 2,298I agree. Pretty darned insensitive and heartless. Did she spray it into the wound too? Did the family know?
