I'm guilty!

Published

Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I had the sweetest little old lady today as a patient. She was a Spanish speaking woman with a daughter and granddaughter in attendence. As usual I spoke my limited Spanish and learned some new vocabulary. I just loved these wonderful people.:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat

So, when it was time to discharge the patient, the daughter said that her mother wanted to ask me something, but was embarrassed. :imbar

What could it be? :confused: I said, not to be embarrassed, but to ask me anything.

Well, what she really wanted was to take a pink pad home with her, was it okay?

How could I say no? I told them to slip it in their bag when no one was looking, and keep the whole thing hush hush...:cool:

I'm an accomplice to a crime.:eek:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

*gasp!* The SHAME!!!!!

Was it like, a draw pad that goes on the bed, or a maxi pad? Just need to know so that I can gauge the enormity of the crime.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

It was the draw pad...:imbar

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele, Acute.

You're looking at 5-10. (((((hugs))))) that is!:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in vascular, med surg, home health , rehab,.

sounds like a trip to the big house to me. A lovely family to take care of, appreciative, hell they can take the bed if the want:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I'm sure they paid for it, so they might as well take it. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Medicine.

Every now and then I send patients home with certain things if they are in need for the first day or two. Like those with home medical supplies and those who are waiting to get started with home care. A pink draw pad, some gauze.... It happens. Now sending them home with big stuff like needles is obviously a no no. But sometimes those little things make all the difference when it comes time for them to return to our facility or to rate the hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

I always tell them take 2 ,one to wash while one is being used. I'm looking at 5-10 w/ at least 5 suspended,hell, disposable get at least 8 from me :redlight:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, home care, LTC.
Every now and then I send patients home with certain things if they are in need for the first day or two. Like those with home medical supplies and those who are waiting to get started with home care. A pink draw pad, some gauze.... It happens. Now sending them home with big stuff like needles is obviously a no no. But sometimes those little things make all the difference when it comes time for them to return to our facility or to rate the hospital.

As a home care nurse I appreciate you sending some supplies, it does make a difference. :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Okay, get the handcuffs and off to the hootsgow for you! You can share your war stories about being busted for providing comfort to a cute little elderly lady.

We do things like this very often. I've given a few insulin syringes (okay, maybe about a month's worth) to a newly diagnosed diabetic who obviously had no money. My friend gave a patient enough Lovenox to last for three days for the same reason. We do what we do...join the club!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

This makes me wish I had given a patients wife something for her husband when they were discharge, but I guess I was too worried I would get caught. The patient was being discharged to rehab and the day of discharge, doc ordered a certain prescription cream for pts bottom that was very excoriated. The patient was able to receive 2 applications of the cream then was picked up to go to rehab. The wife asked me if she could take the cream with her, but I told her I can't send the pts home with meds unless there are certain orders already set up. Now I feel bad because they will be charged for a whole tube (and the charge will be 10x the actual cost) and the only got 2 uses of out it! For the people who gave patients insulin syringes and lovenox, how did you manage that one? Especially the lovenox, the usually only send us enough for the day unless social work special orders it for the patient and the hospital pays for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing.

i think you are an :saint: for doing that. yeah for you !

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion