improper charting vs backstabbing?

[ferretface]

A coworker charted that a patient complained about me. She charted "Patient c/o (my name) being rude." Instead of coming to me, this coworker discussed it w/another coworker who told her she should chart what the patient said. (We all work the same shift, so I was there). I am upset that this coworker didn't come to me w/the complaint first & explain the situation. (which is that the patient was upset & verbally abusive b/c her procedure had been delayed). How do I handle this & is this type of charting legal? I feel an incident report should have been made out rather than writing complaints about another nurse in the record.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

My knee jerk reaction to this scenario is that the nurse that wrote in a legal chart that you were being rude was being petty. There are better ways to handle a situation such as this.

Talk to your NM first and tell them the situation factually and unemotionally. Then see what your NM says. If he/she does not take any action, then you can contact Risk Management to see what you can do to protect yourself.

[Batman25]

That's inappropriate and your supervisor on up will have a crapper when they hear. Things like that aren't to go into charts and this nurse should know better. Even worse is that two nurses were involved and both thought this was okay. Yikes. I agree with the above. Go calmly to your NM and advise them of the situation and why the patient was upset. It's important they are aware this note was left in an official patient chart. If the patient was that upset they would have asked for your superior. Unfortunately you were the scapegoat here.

[LvANrse80, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

Omg!!!! Yes! This is inappropriate and someone should of explained charting to this nurse because, putting your name in a patient's legal record is definately petty, not coming to talk to you about the situation is another problem or pulling you aside with the supervisor if she felt that this was of concern ?

[LvANrse80, ASN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

One more thing! And than consulting with another nurse not her supervisor??

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

I was always taught that you didn't name names in charting. Last night someone accused me of being sarcastic and the aide of being mean so I charted she accused "staff" of being sarcastic and mean...etc etc etc. (This lady is always complaining about people being mean to her - she's very manipulative grrrr.)

[anononurse]

how immature & petty!!! I agree you're being scapegoated. When I have had patient complaints about another nurse I go to that person FIRST- & I would want anyone else to pay me the same courtesy, in fact our manager ENCOURAGES us to talk to each other if there are issues. It's called "teamwork" & "having each others' backs"!! Definitely talk to your manager & make a copy of the record to show her.

[Schmoo1022]

I was taught we to never chart names. I have a very high psych population, if I charted every little comment like that, I would never even get out of my seat. We have many residents who say, "Oh I hate that nurse, she is mean. You're my favorite" Oh please! But you can see what I am getting at.

If it was really a concern of someone being rude or inappropriate, then I think it needs to be followed up on, but not in the chart.

[leslie :-D]

agree w/others, about reporting to nm.

just to cya, you might consider writing your own note about pt being upset r/t delay.

leslie

[Chin up]

Unfreakinbelieveable!!! Besides being mean, the facility won't like it al all. She should not have used your name, but " staff" and that is if it is true. The person just seems vindictive and may have made it up. Anyway, talk to your manager, supervisor or DON, to have it stricken. If a patient or resident complains, they are to do an investigation. If she thought you were a danger, did she follow protocol and notify a supervisor, fill out an incident report? Your name should have never been put in the residents chart. Hope both nurses are disciplined. I am so angry, I Know I am rambling, but just can't believe it. Now I sound vindictive, but they can ruin your career. We aren't even to write incident report filed when it truly happens. The reason, lawsuits. When a lawyer sees that written, it is a red flag. How much more your name. Plus, now they can " coach" the resident to use your name.

I am on a tangent now, so angry, will respond later when calm and much more appropriate. People can be sooo mean!

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

This is a classic example of libel, which is defamation by written word. You should tell the author of the note that you are consulting with an attorney about suing her for libel (even if that's not true). Bone up on libel and explain that you now have every right to sue her. You could also let your boss know what you're thinking. I'm no lawyer but I think you could probably get legal action to have it removed from the medical record since it doesn't relate to the patient's medical condition. Good luck.

[caliotter3]

Apparently those two nurses missed the message that naming names in a chart is inappropiate. Most nurse managers would see that the inappropiate entry is removed.