No hand sanitizer, no working equipment

chrisrn24 · Jan 28, 2014

I guess report it to the state??

Blackcat99 · Jan 28, 2014

I would like to report it to the state but I am afraid they will know it was me who called. They "get rid" of anyone who calls the state.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2014

You can also place an anonymous phone call to the corporate office to report these issues, or perhaps get a friend / acquaintance to place the phone call to prevent your voice from being recognized.

Blackcat99 · Jan 28, 2014

Call corporate. That sounds like a good idea. Yes, I could have a friend call and give them a message.

Sam J. · Jan 29, 2014

Calling the home office is a quick path to unemployment.

As far as management, who is management? Does your DON know, really, have you talked to her/him? If things are really that bad, surely every other nurse in the place would be making the situation known to the DON, daily.

Is there a central supply clerk in that funky place? If yes, is that person aware?

If they all really are aware, and things don't happen, you're in a squeamish situation if a patient crashes. It's easy for anyone to say "Nobody told ME about any equipment problems!"

Ugh

lumbarpain, ADN, RN · Jan 29, 2014

yes, I agree, make a call to the State......local Ombudsman.....anyone that has more leverage and impact. also..make sure you keep record of how many times you complained to management on the sanitizer and equipment malfunctions and not being repaired.

Obviously.....either your facility is lacking maintenance men, people who sincerely care about their patients, and a DON who isn't keeping up with this at all......unless she is planning an escape and doesn't care anymore leaving the place in shambles.

Blackcat99 · Jan 30, 2014

I think that is the problem at my facility. No one cares. It seems we get a new DON and a new administrator every 3 months. I wouldn't be surprised if the DON is planning her escape. I know that escaping is all I think about.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Jan 30, 2014

I rarely advise people to "run", I think that advice gets thrown around too much here. Especially in this economy.

But if everything you say about your facility is true, maybe you should just leave. It sounds like a truly unsafe place to work.

Sam J. · Jan 30, 2014

They may care but many companies hire ADMs and DONs in name only, and don't allow them any autonomy to run the buildings they are hired to run- more so when it comes to spending money, for 'anything'. Most SNF staff aren't aware of the constraints placed on local management, and might be surprised if they did know. It's quite possible the OP's DON has tried valiantly to replace equipment, etc., but has been denied by the powers that be. Hence, the revolving door of staff. On the flip side, if you are aware your management team is going bye-bye, that leaves a perfect (safer) opening to call the ombudsman, the survey office, etc. if there are patient issues such as OP listed? I'd never suggest calling the home office- trust me when I tell you they know more about what goes in in every individual building, including names of staff, and in fact are often the reason staff are disciplined or fired- by way of a directive to the ADM or DON.

wheeliesurfer · Jan 30, 2014

I would like to report it to the state but I am afraid they will know it was me who called. They "get rid" of anyone who calls the state.

There are "whistleblower" protection laws in place so that you can't be "gotten rid of" for reporting unsafe conditions to the state. I would keep records of who you report the lack of supplies and broken equipment to. Also, try to report these in writing to the charge, head of central supply, DON, etc. if possible so that you have a paper trail to "CYA" if SHTF. Make sure to keep a copy for yourself and document any response (positive or negative) to your notification.

After you have documentation of your repeated complaints not being resolved, contact the state (again keeping a paper trail of everything you do) by letter and follow it up with a phone call. If you keep good enough documentation of everything and do indeed end up being "let go", you can take your employer to court and have evidence that they got rid of you because you reported them.

Good luck. I hope you get your facilities issues resolved. It isn't an easy battle, but your co-workers, patients and their families will all benefit from it in the end!

Blackcat99 · Jan 30, 2014

Yes whistleblowers should be protected. However, I know of 2 nurse who called" corporate" to complain about patient safety issues. They were both fired. I have to accept the fact that "no one cares" at this facility and to just keep job hunting. In this economy, I really can't take a chance of being fired.