should I have done an incident report?

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Specializes in LTC.

I hope this isn't a stupid question....

One of my residents drinked urine out of of husbands urinal ( they are roommates at our facility). Around the same time she did this I had to respond to an emergency . I did lay eyes on her and there was no ill effect. I did not do an incident report , contact the doctor, contact the poa, or get vitals. I did make a note in her chart. Was I wrong for not doing anything about this? I had a very hecked shift and now that I'm home I feel like I should have done more. I go back to work tomorrow so I guess I can follow up with this. Please help. Thanks. Btw I work with alzheimers residents :)

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Patients with alzheimers sometimes mistake urinals for water jugs, drinking urine may expose them to viruses or bacteria and it is possible to develop hepatitis from drinking urine. An incident report should be completed and the team should discuss if there is anything that can be done to prevent this from happening in the future. The doctor should be notified so patient can be more thoroughly assessed.

regards

dishes

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Specializes in PACU, CARDIAC ICU, TRAUMA, SICU, LTC.

IMO:

1. Most definitely notify MD and family/POA.

2. Temp q shift.

3. Oral cavity assessment q shift.

4. Mouth care q shift.

5. Incident report, yes, as this occurrence is out of the norm.

By placing a note in the patient's chart without further follow-up documented, you have left yourself in a potentially precarious position!

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Is it normal for a person to drink out of a urinal especially a used one?

Your response to that question should determine what your action should be.

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Specializes in Geriatics.

I would have did one just to be safe, then I would've suggested a psych eval.

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I would have did one just to be safe, then I would've suggested a psych eval.

I really don't think a psych eval is necessary for a demented resident probably in a LTC. A person with dementia is confused and probably just saw the urinal as a drink. What is a psych eval going to do?

Yes on the incident report. Even if it is late is still should be done.

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Specializes in LTC.

thanks everyone! Im defintely going to do an incident report today and do folllow up. im preparing myself for a possible write up today...

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Years ago there was a patient who peed into a drinking cup then later drank his own urine how would you document input and output :clown:

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

I do an incident on anything untoward that happens to a client. Anything that i think remotely could come back to haunt me, whether they appear to be harmed or not. You just never know. A family member could get wind of the situation and make your life very difficult. (and just a word of encouragement--these things happen. your patient will probably be fine.:))

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Specializes in LTC/Rehab.

I have to say that as the Risk Manager at our facility, I'd be calling you at home to come back and complete an incident report :) When it doubt, fill one out. It may CYA in the long run, even when you don't feel anything will result from the incident.

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Specializes in LTC.

I agree. I have lost so much sleep over this and I cant wait to get to get to work today, because that will be the first thing I will do. I feel awful, i should of just stayed over to complete it.

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The person who asked "is this normal" was right on, and this is an important thing to remember WHENEVER you wonder whether or not to file an incident report:

Is this a normal occurrence? If the answer is no, file an incident report.

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