Is this Abuse!?

U.S.A. Florida

Published

I have been a cna for 10 years, I know the answer to my question, but I need feedback before I take any action on this matter.

I have been working in a nursing home for 3 years. One LPN, that I work with insists on everyone of her residents having a large bowel movement every day. We do have a BM reporting system, so bm's are suppose to be recorded everyday. (not that this is always followed threw with)

A laxative is generally given if a person has not had a movement in 3 days. This nurse, is giving approximatly 6 oz of liguid "stuff",

no one is even sure of whats in it, to all the residents . It is a mixture of colase, stool softners, laxitives and I am assuming prune juice, heated up in the microwave. I also know that she purchases some of this on her own to give to these residents. Some residents vomit it back up. Others have stomach cramping and watery stool for about 3-4 days afterwards.

A + O residents are upset, scared and embarrased because they do not know what is happening to them. Some have told me they will not accept their meds from her because she tries to slip in extra pills. I work 12 hour shifts. 7p to 7a. The nurse works 3p-11p, I take care of these residents all night. We are generally short on nights which means I end up with more residents than what is legal. Sometimes 22-24 residents. I am having a hard time providing the proper care for these people when I am up to my elbows in BM. As soon as I clean some one up, they are going again with in 15 minutes. I have resorted to putting briefs on some, which is not what I normally would do, but with out it , I am changing sheets and mopping floors. Dehydration is in question here, not to mention skin break down, the inability for these people to have a BM on their own if she doesnt stop and UTI's. This nurse was warned about doing this 3 months ago, she did slow down. We now have a new DON, who thinks she is a great nurse. I do too ,except for this one problem. The new DON does not like me too much, as crazy as it sounds , its a race thing. I am not the same color that the nurse and DON are.

I dont know what to do. Any suggestions would be a great help to me.

:idea:

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

That is abuse. Everything you have described are signs of abuse, PLEASE report it, that person needs stopped before people get seriously sick, injured, or hurt. Think of it this way, anyone who knows this is going on an doesn't report can be seen just as guilty.

Worked with an LPN we nicknamed "The Sh*t Doctor" because everytime she came back from her days off she gave EVERYONE on her hall M.O.M. and never bothered looking at the BM record. And over half of the continent people weren't a few hours later because of the M.O.M.

The linen load in the laundry (it had to be weighed) went from a typical 7-3 shift of 1500 pounds to 3500 on this nurse's first day back. The linen load told us she was in the building even if we hadn't seen her yet. The DON finally wised up after following the patterns and fired this woman. She lost her license about 5 years ago, keeps reapplying every year, but gets rejected for another incident at another home.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

How about involing the 11-7 nurse that follows her. Express concern for all the loose stool you are seeing. Maybe if another nurse is noticing this something will be done about it.

Noney

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

I know I would not want to take a laxative if I did not want one and I certainly would not want someone, "slipping it in" .GRRRRRRR

renerian

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Believe it or not, everyone in this facility is aware that she does this. I told the 11-7 nurse that something needs to be done and he just laughed about it. I had planned on a pursing a nursing career at one point, but not anymore. I have seen so much abuse, neglect, false charting, cover ups, you name it. I have had residents tell me they will not call for assistance because they are afraid of who will show up. I have tried to report aides that I have seen abuse residents, only to be told by corporate , there is nothing they can do. They do not want the hassle of a lawsuit. I just can not do this job anymore.

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Giving everyone a dose of some home concoction is not right. I think you have a duty to your residents to make someone aware of the situation. You have the hotline number for elder abuse posted somewhere at your facility. Call it and tell the person you want to have the long term ombudsman for that facility to contact you at your home number. You can meet them outside of the facility and express your concerns. They can meet with your DON or director and tell them they have a complaint they need to investigate without using your name. If your facility suspects it was you, big deal. Already you feel you are looked down on and if you have been working at the same place for three years, you will not have trouble finding another job where you will be appreciated. BTW, you cannot brief someone without an order, so be careful of that.

Do go on to become a nurse. Become part of the solution. These facilities need nurses that care.

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Specializes in Stroke Rehab, Elderly, Rehab. Ortho.

I find this appalling. This IS Abuse and you have a duty to report this immediately for your residents sakes. Where is the indivdualism here? NOT everyone has their bowels moved every day so what right has this person to give meds to make them go every day.

Your residents are obviously and quite rightly so scared to death. I am a Nursing Home Manager and cant believe that your colleagues know about this and letting it carry on.

Report it straight away . YOU WILL make an excellent nurse - we need more people like you.

Let us know how you get on.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I really can't add much more to what the other posters have said, but this IS abuse and as such MUST be reported to the appropriate authorities, e.g. your Ombudsman, the board of nursing, Senior Services and so on. That nurse is practicing medicine without a license, to say nothing of abusing the patients in her charge. And if "everyone" knows about it, yet have done nothing, they are just as guilty as she is.

You sound like TERRIFIC nurse material to me. Please, don't give up on nursing because of a few rotten apples....we need you!!

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I want to thank all of you for your support and advice. I do know that this is abuse, but without any support from co-workers, I was a bit intimidated about doing the right thing. I am going to have to go over many heads which is a huge "no-no", at this facility. These people have not given me the option to handle the situation in any other way.

*I do realize that I take my chances briefing certain residents, but in this case I have to do what I feel is best. For instance, One resident just came back from the hospital with a fractured femur, so to keep the brace from becoming soiled, I had to brief her. I tried other ways to protect the brace, but after the third BM in less than 2 hours, my attempts were proving worthless.

Thanks for all the support!

Any one want to offer me a job? I have a feeling I will be available soon!:wink2: :lol2:

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My sympathies for being in such a bad spot. That LPN is SICK, SICK, SICK !!!!!!!!!

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I feel sorry for the residents if they lose you. It's sad that they won't call for assistance because they are afraid of who will show up. Please stand up for them and report the abuse.

Best wishes to you.

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When you leave send an anonymous letter to the families. Let some heads roll... or tell the patients to tell their families.

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