Hard day at work :-(

[ZanatuBelmont]

I've had a horrible experience today at work. First off, I'm an LVN student and I am working as a home health aide for hospice patients. I go to and from several homes and nursing homes to provide basic care. I also do a few nursing tasks when supervised by a nurse, so I also am considered partly a nurse tech.

Here's the issue:

Monday I was in a nursing home I had never been to. I was assigned to a patient who apparently is a person who cusses and "offends" people, often telling people to get the heck out of her room. Well, I went in there, introduced myself, and told her what I was there for. So, I gathered my supplies (basin, washcloths, etc).

Long story short, two days later (today, Wednesday), I was informed by a nurse in charge of that patient that one of the charge nurses at the facility claimed I couldn't have possibly done anything I listed on my aide notes before I left. I checked that I gave her a complete bed bath, but the problem was she did not believe me when I put that the patient did her own pericare.

I watched the patient do her own pericare, whether it was done thoroughly remains a question. However, the charge nurse at the facility pretty much accused me of lying on my form, not considering the facts. Also, what "tipped them off" was the fact that this patient did not cuss me out or tell me to leave her room in a frenzy. In fact, the patient was very NICE to me, and did not cause problems.

Yet, because I had a different response than the "normal" workers there (my company contracts with nursing homes in the area), I was doubted in my job performance.

The reason I'm posting this is... I want advice on what I could have done better to avoid this situation. I told my employer if that facility makes another comment like that, then I am not going back there. I feel it is completely out of the realm of professionalism what they said about my duties.

Side note: The nurse had gone over the next day, about 32 hours after I gave the patient the bed bath, and she told me the patient "stunk to high heaven." As if it was my fault... or is it?

I feel very inadequate right now and want to receive some type of advice... maybe I should chart better? Inform the nurse? Maybe I should have checked to make sure the patient was performing pericare thoroughly? It's hard for me to imagine myself forcing myself on this patient when she was very eager to do it herself.

:-(

[sonomala]

Its not your fault. This kind of thing happens. I'm a new cna and often get sent in to take care of the difficult residents, the ones that scream shout ect. If they don't respond like they usually do, the other cnas who have caught some abuse from that resident really don't like it. Also sadly agency workers are really treated at the bottom of the food chain at the ltcs I've been too. Its not fair at all. I would stick with your plan if it happens again refuse the assignment. You're going to do great in the field :)

[Kim8501]

you did nothing wrong, they tell us over & over to let the patient do as much for themselves as possible ( esp. the perineal area ). i know it has upset you, but try to take it in stride & know that occasionally these things will happen. it is no reflection on you, i too am a fellow home health care worker & i can relate. as for her peri area "smelling to high heaven" that can be from several different things. she may be incontinent, it could be an infection, meds....alot of things. your supervisor should realize that.