I don't know why I'm even surprised by this...

[thesegotoeleven]

So I post on this forum fairly regularly, but changed my name because there may be some identifying details in this post...

Yesterday my hospital suffered a two alarm fire in one of the garbage chutes, causing major damage to one bank of buildings including the need for large portions of wall to be removed in order to access the chute and smoke pouring out of ventilation units. When I came to work, the major portions wall by the nursing station had been removed and was covered by paper (seems safe, right? No way smoke can go through paper) and the whole floor reeked of smoke and fumes from extinguishers. Some rooms had smoke damage to the walls. In addition, the fire had burned the wires to all computerized systems, which left us with no phones, no access to computer health records. And, just to making this a fun trifecta, there was only 1/3 of the necessary nurses scheduled to work, short staffing is par for the course but this really added to the situation.

You think this would merit some sort of action. And, according to administration, that action was admit more people and fill up the floor.

Yes, I had to do back to back to back admissions into rooms that smelled like burned garbage. The hallways and elevator banks reeked. And that if I needed to access health records I could go to another floor that wasn't affected by the fire and had working computers and phones. When I asked why they didn't admit them to those floors instead (there were empty beds), I was told I needed to be more flexible and understanding.

Did I mention some of those admits were not the most stable of patients?

I wish I could say I'm surprised by the greed but I mostly just have a headache from inhaling fumes all night.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

The fire department cleared the floor for habitation? Even if they did, this sounds like something that should be reported to someone (state department? TJC? ???) as a major patient safety issue. Patient codes- run to another floor to raise the alarm… yeah, that sounds safe.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I would say this merits a discrete call to the DOH. What if you have patients that have pulmonary issues? It's bad enough for anyone to be inhaling those fumes, but I think we all can connect the dots on what it will do for asthmatics and COPDers.

I'm sorry you had to work under those conditions. (((HUG)))

[Swellz]

Doesn't sound safe for you or patients. Maybe an OSHA issue, although if it was declared safe air to breathe, maybe not? I'd have gone to health services right after to document my fume-related headache.

[thesegotoeleven]

I posted too quickly, so I should add that they did manage to get a few phone lines up (not enough to service the whole floor, I was still forced to leave when the phone was in use) and send additional staff (but not enough to adequately staff us). We were told to use our mobile phones for paging/calls. I find this request inappropriate. When I pushed administration about the safety issues (having to leave the floor to access health records, make calls, no access to orders without leaving the floor, strong odors) concerning this situation I was told that what had happened was an emergency and I needed to be more accommodating. No contingency plans for handling scanned medications or charting were put forth from administration and when I pressed for answers I got conflicting responses.

I think I do want to report this to some sort of governing body (not sure which would be appropriate)- right now I see multiple posts with everyone patting themselves on the back for how it was handled, but frankly, I don't feel it was handled well at all.

[OCNRN63, RN]

No, I would not use my personal phone for work purposes. Their failure to plan does not constitute an emergency on your part, and they should have plans in place for this sort of situation. What if there are staff who don't have cell phones? What do they do?

I haven't seen posts with people patting themselves on the back.

Like I said previously, I think a call to the DOH might get you some action. I know it did in my case; not the same situation, but it was one where patient safety was compromised. It's amazing how fast sthey respond when it's a serious situation.

[enuf_already]

Paper covered wall, limited outside communication, the place already smells of smoke so a new fire would likely not be detected right away, sick people who are not easily evacuated...this sounds like the perfect setting for a disaster movie!

[nursel56]

No way I would brush this one off. I'd report it too. In addition, I would find a way to publicize it. It doesn't have to be a job-risking whistleblower thing, but the backlash will get the kind of attention that will make the next bunch of suits tempted to do this kind of thing think twice. Shaking my head.

[Nurse Leigh]

Do you think that if the fire had occurred where upper management has their offices they would have put up paper and worked in an area with no computer access and very few working phone lines - and the smell of stale smoke?

[Mulan]

Invite a reporter from your local news outlet to come visit.

[Farawyn]

I clicked on this for your name alone.

What a crappy night. I'm sorry. I have no advice beyond what is given.

[RainMom]

You have my sympathies! We had a relatively minor fire last month in a neighboring dept. However, the unit was closed for a full week with pts routed to a different floor. Multiple hepa filters were placed in & around the affected area, including my dept where some of the fumes could reach. This was just for minor damage; mostly new paint was needed.