I'm a new RN and I recently started working in the skilled unit at a LTC. I had a patient fall during my shift. She was a Walkie-talkie with no assist. She was using her came and had on rubber soled shoes when she ambulated to the bathroom.
When she stood up from the toilet she fell to her right side onto the ground and broke her hip. She cried out for help (this was third shift) and when we found her she was resting her head against the sink. I immediately did a neuro, vital signs and checked for shortening of the limb. I sent her out with the squad, notified the doctor, the family and the DoN.
At the time everything, minus the pain from the hip, was coming back within normal limits. This patient was also on Coumadin. The hospital I sent her to called back two days later and said the patient couldn't move her legs and had urinary retention. Turns out she had a brain bleed that complicated the anesthetic from the surgery and now this poor patient has three months to love.
I feel awful. I know that there is nothing I could have done to prevent the fall since she had no restrictions on ambulation. I contacted my DoN and she said the paperwork I submitted looked fine but I'm still worried that I will get in trouble.
The lady who trained me had all these horror stories, including one that she was actually in trouble for concerning a fall, and I'm worried that I will take the fall for all of this. Any advice?
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I know how awful you feel. You come across as very caring and kind, despite the post saying you were "offensive" with the "walkie-talking" description. We used to use that phrase among us, in LTC as well. Never to the patient's face or that of families. I am sorry this happened on your watch. I remember my first resident fall; I felt completely responsible and horribly. They DO fall, and sometimes there is nothing you can do to prevent it. The paperwork in the wake of a resident fall is daunting, for sure. I just hope you become more confident as you go. Preventing falls is key; this comes as you know your residents better and who will try and walk when they shouldn't, or develop new conditions that make unassisted transfers impossible. Hang in there.
ArrrrEnnn
42 Posts
Yeah, I do. Our student policies through NSO turned into professional policies once we graduated.