Unsafe environment

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Med Surg/Ortho.

I have recently started a CNA training class. Before we actually do class time though, all the studients (there are 9 of us) are going through internships/job shadowing at local facilities. Two girls in my class got placed at an assisted living place, and pretty much got thrown to the wolves. They are not following anyone, and are expected to be extra employees and do everything that a CNA does. This is after the facility has been talked to about what this internship is all about, and what expectations is, for a second time. My one classmate recently got her QMAP, and they have put her in charge of medications as well. Not only that, but this facility feels that med errors are going to happen, and they are "no big deal". They do not report them to anyone, call a doctor, or try to fix the situation. One woman apparently had several pain patches on, since no one was removing them once the new one was put on. After talking with our instructors, they are being taken out of this internship and moved to a new one. It obviously isn't a safe place for them to be or to learn. But we are all worried about residents at this place. Is there anything they can do to report these conditions? How do you get the state to come in and check a facility?

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Call both the BON and the BOH.

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm glad to read that the training program found them a more suitable internship.

Do a google search for your state for something like "assisted living complaints." You can also try looking up "ombudsman healthcare" for your state. Yes, I do believe this facility should be turned into the state esp. if residents are wearing multiple pain patches.

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I believe you can report them to the state boards. I know you can report them, I am just not exactly sure where. State will come and check them out.

However, sometimes they find out that State is coming and they do everything right for that one day. I wish the State people would go undercover. Of course they will act proper when the big people are around.

I had a friend that worked for a horrible nursing home. She eventually left because she saw CNA's repeatedly beat dementia patients. She even recorded one with her phone (just sound, no video) State would come by and they would act all nice and proper. So frustrating.

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Specializes in Med Surg/Ortho.

Ok thanks, I will pass this info along. I know my one classmate really wants to report them, and wasn't sure how to do it. I don't think I should, because I wasn't there and didn't witness any of this.

BON is Board of Nursing, right? And what is BOH? Board of Health? Sorry for my ignorance, but I haven't even taken my CNA class yet, and don't know any of this.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

She may also want to contact the Department of Family Services in her area. These folks take care of both child abuse and elderly abuse. Good luck!

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Specializes in Geriatrics and Quality Improvement,.

bon is board of nursing, right? and what is boh? board of health? sorry for my ignorance, but i haven't even taken my cna class yet, and don't know any of this.

yes board of nursing and board of health.

and i applaud you for taking a stand, so many people dont want to be the whistle blower, but lives are at stake. the sooner someone knows, the sooner we can protect our aging populatin against the vultures.

good luck to you on a career that i hope will see you rise to higher heights. you have alot to offer!

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I believe you can report them to the state boards. I know you can report them, I am just not exactly sure where. State will come and check them out.

However, sometimes they find out that State is coming and they do everything right for that one day. I wish the State people would go undercover. Of course they will act proper when the big people are around.

I had a friend that worked for a horrible nursing home. She eventually left because she saw CNA's repeatedly beat dementia patients. She even recorded one with her phone (just sound, no video) State would come by and they would act all nice and proper. So frustrating.

It is possible for the state to make "surprise" visits...this sounds like it needs to be done...

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