I need cna help

[AjJibjab]

I work as a cna in California and I had this resident (non English speaking) who is a fall risk patient who's on a bed alarm, which also is a female resident (per family request). May I add there was 3 males on groups 1-4 out of 5. 5 being on the otherside of the building on Noc shift (give or take about 18 residents each). When she first came i helped her for 2 nights until family specified, female only, she was more alert so i put her in the bathrrom and give her call light and walk out wait for her to call. simple.

Now months go by she's getting more confused I was somewhat aware that she was getting more and more confused today she was getting out of bed to go to the bathroom, she was pointing to the bathroom, heard the alarm went in while shes trying to stand to walk to the bathroom while reaching for her wheelchair. I assisted her to the bathroom. and gave her the call light, And I didn't put gloves on cause I didn't want her to fall.so I put her on the toilet and walked out of the bathroom to the front of the room to grab gloves. and when I grab gloves she falls off the toilet. And I know she can sit up on her own. I rush back in there call for nurse do vitals etc... the next day the Don reads the incident and calls me in to write me up and saying how she "could have" terminated me. Tries to write me up walked out saying I'll think about it. Also nothing in care plan says about not leaving the resident alone in the bathroom. I'm not worried about getting fired I know ima good cna. I'm wondering if I'm truly at fault here. Should I sign the write up? How I'm I supposed to help a female only resident to the bathroom and clean her without grabbing gloves?! Cause I rushed to help her so she wouldn't fall.

Hope y'all can help thank you I appreciate the feedback, much love fellow male cna

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Always keep gloves in your pocket. Problem solved.

[AjJibjab]

You could but what about strict places or if state was there you can't for sanitation purposes

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

I've never heard of such a rule that you can't keep a single pair of gloves on your person. They're not sterile. Then put a couple of pairs in a sandwich bag in your pocket

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

You could but what about strict places or if state was there you can't for sanitation purposes

No matter where I've worked (LTC, PDN & corrections) I've always kept gloves in my pockets. You never know what will happen & when you might need them. I don't know any place that is so strict that they won't let you keep at least one pair in your pocket.

Sounds like you're just making excuses now.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

What does that mean?In the future (if you still have a job) put two gloves in your pocket at the beginning of your shift.At the end of the shift if you have not used them then do so during your last rounds.As far as being fired,unless you are unionized,yes,they can do whatever they please.Knowing this resident had become increasingly confused you could have rung the call bell and waited for help to arrive.You sign the write up and you add your statement which should include the suggestion that glove dispensers should be beside EVERY toilet.Accept your responsibility,your DON will see maturity there.State you rushed her in there so she would not suffer the indignity of incontinence but you made a mistake ......

[Angela89]

I try to keep gloves on me all the time, every time I pass my cart I will grab some to put in my pocket no matter how many I already have. Honestly, I have ran out of gloves sometimes when I needed them the most. I was in that situation once where I needed gloves but leaving the patient wasn't an option so I just didn't use them(Bad..I know but it was better than the alternative of them possibly getting hurt being left alone)

That is an odd rule that you aren't allowed to carry gloves. I would sign the write up and move on. Just see it as a lesson learned for next time. Figure out a way not to make this mistake again. Good luck!

[altmer_aldmeri]

I see what you mean, in my school we were taught NOT to keep gloves in our pockets. But things do change once you step foot in the "real world of nursing". Always be prepared.

And also, please refrain from calling experienced people dumb, just because they suggested what you should do to prevent a DUMB mistake from happening again.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Sign the write up. You were wrong to leave a fall risk, confused patient alone on the toilet. You are not qualified to determine fall risk or stability when seated unsupported.

If you don't have gloves in the bathroom and feel it's not appropriate to carry a pair of gloves in your pocket then DO NOT LEAVE the resident along and pull the call light for assistance.

You're lucky she didn't suffer a fracture, concussion, brain bleed or worse then you would be facing more than a write up.

If you have determined being proactive and prepared is dumb, I don't know what to tell you. And yes, when working I have gloves available 100% of the time. I also have gloves in my uniform pocket, nurse bag, car, purse and first aid kit. I've needed gloves many times at and off work.

[Missingyou, CNA]

I work in one of those facilities where we are NOT allowed to carry gloves in our pockets! It seems crazy but, it's true. .....however, most of us carry them anyway and don't use them unless we come into a situation just like you described. We also know that we never tell the nurses we carry gloves with us and we know that if we assisted a bloody resident who, say, fell in the hallway and took out a pair of gloves, the nurses would not say a word about it to us.

This is one of those things that we do as CNA's that the state doesn't know about but, must be done because this is the real world and it's different then the world the state works in!!

We also have boxes of gloves in all the bathrooms so you will never leave a resident on the toilet to get gloves.

Show your DON that you are willing to acknowledge your mistake and learn from it.

Sign the paper WITH adding and discussing with the DON that you realize your error in leaving her on the toilet (and something like this won't happen again), the care plan does not indicate that she cannot be left on the toilet. Also, add that you feel it would be helpful to have boxes of gloves in every bathroom so that this type of incident doesn't happen with anyone else. Make sure this is in writing attached to the write up.

[Momof8CNA]

anyone who is HRFF cannot be left alone on the toilet, no matter what! the best course of action wouldve been taking her back to her bed and cleaning her up there, getting gloves after you put her in bed. a huge pain, for sure, but if she wouldve been seriously hurt, it couldve went bad for you.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

The reason why some facilities try to prohibit the cna's from carrying gloves is some will take huge handfuls at the start of the shift and then just shove the unused ones back in the box.That is a infection control issue in LTC,it's been a battle in my LTC....Still,a prudent can or nurse can always carry two gloves....