i gotta ?~

Simplepleasures · Feb 11, 2008

ok... this is kinda messed up.. but i want to know what you all think about it...
situation....
psych pt.. w/ a bed alarm and personal monitor...
she took off her gown.. the bed alarm didnt work......
she was on the floor....
should someone get in trouble because they charted in the nurses notes that the equipment was not working properly?
they are not supposed to lie..... right?
i chart if the medical equipment is not working right....
she did nothing wrong in my opinion....... she charted it exactly as it happened.....
she should not have to lie.......
are we supposed to lie in our charting so it makes the facility look better w/ state??
sorry.... not gonna do that!

It is illegal and unethical to lie or falsify info in a NN or other nursing documentation. No we do not owe it to the facility to lie and lose our license and self respect.

KarenGeorgeBSRN · Feb 11, 2008

It depends on your policy and procedure; the facility.

In many cases an incident report would be filed, and the

procedure followed with reporting to your superior, and all

else that goes with it.

Hope that helps.

Karen G.

Addendum

An incident report is filed due to the charting of accident.

A patient on the floor is an accident and further is noted in

my reply posts below!!

Simplepleasures · Feb 11, 2008

If the nurse is asked to falsify information on a nurses note or incident report or any of the multitude of documentation nurses do, it is illegal/unethical, NO MATTER what the facilities' policies are.

ann945n, RN · Feb 11, 2008

Not only is that illegal but it does not help the problem. If it was charted the pt removed the clothing and then fell perhaps intervention could be taken to secure the alarm better to prevent this from happening againg, like attaching it to underwear etc.....

Dolce, RN · Feb 11, 2008

You have to chart what happened and let the chips fall where they may. Only document facts and observations.

Hope everything works out okay.

Noryn · Feb 11, 2008

If they charted "the equipment was not working properly" then perhaps that could be an issue. As the above poster said, only document facts.

ie "pt found in floor with no clothing, personal alarm attached to gown which remains in bed. bed alarm on but not activated/alarming."

Then you could note how you got pt up and placed pt in new bed with alarm on. I think the important things are your interventions and how you CYA. Never lie for these facilities. They will hang you in a heart beat.

KarenGeorgeBSRN · Feb 11, 2008

An incident report is filed for the patient falling on the

floor. Did anyone miss that relevant information? If

anything one must know and be trained how to document.

That is something I take great pride in doing and training

staff to do. The honesty begins with the attending

nurse, and what he or she did to allow this to occur. Yes,

was this patient a q 15 check, was she checked and

charted; was the equipment working, because normally

we check this prior to applying to a psychiatric patient.

In no way did I infer otherwise. In fact if anyone here

deals with administrative work they would realize the

incident report would have to be filed due to what was

put down on paper, and hopefully the nurse attending this

patient would know that he or she was to do so.

Please do not infer that I stated in place of or agreed

to falsification I am new to this "forum" but when I write

it is clearly stated; an incident report is filed due to the fall

and the chart record.

Karen G.

KarenGeorgeBSRN · Feb 11, 2008

Meaning "it depends on your policy and procedure"

I find it incredible that anyone following my original comment

would miss this; meaning an incident report in addition to.

This is a nursing forum yes? If so all of you should be well

aware of this. Due to the chart stating the information.

Proper charting of the incident would start immediately, but

be proper. And I am sorry to say this is not charting by

omission for at this point there is damage done. Who is

responsible will be found when the incident is investigated.

Karen G.

morte, LPN, LVN · Feb 11, 2008

i wouldnt lie and say it was working if it werent, but neither would i be so brazen to say it wasnt if i hadnt evaled it my self.....