Is it possible to refuse to care for a patient?

[sweetstrwbrry1]

I know that sounds bad. But I work in a long term care facility and we have a patient who has been known to leave needles in the bed, tray, or wherever else. No one has any idea where they get them. The last time this person was in the facility a few months ago, a CNA got stuck with one. This person is also very nasty and cusses at the staff, calls them names, and things like that. I know a few of my coworkers refuse to care for him. They do not feel comfortable being in the room with him. He is independant and alert. I have never felt so uncomfortable being in a patients room before. I went in to change the roommate and later to take the roommate to the bathroom. I brought another CNA with me when I did these things. I am worried about not only needles laying around but also what this person is capable of when I close the door behind me and I'm in the room with him. I brought up what I had heard about the needles and rudeness to the nurse and she said she hadn't heard anything about that. But all the CNAs are mentioning the needle thing and the things he has said or done to them. I absolutely did not go anywhere near that side of the room. What do you do in a situation like this?

[studentbear, CNA]

I know that sounds bad. But I work in a long term care facility and we have a patient who has been known to leave needles in the bed, tray, or wherever else. No one has any idea where they get them. The last time this person was in the facility a few months ago, a CNA got stuck with one. This person is also very nasty and cusses at the staff, calls them names, and things like that. I know a few of my coworkers refuse to care for him. They do not feel comfortable being in the room with him. He is independant and alert. I have never felt so uncomfortable being in a patients room before. I went in to change the roommate and later to take the roommate to the bathroom. I brought another CNA with me when I did these things. I am worried about not only needles laying around but also what this person is capable of when I close the door behind me and I'm in the room with him. I brought up what I had heard about the needles and rudeness to the nurse and she said she hadn't heard anything about that. But all the CNAs are mentioning the needle thing and the things he has said or done to them. I absolutely did not go anywhere near that side of the room. What do you do in a situation like this?

Have you actually seen the needles, or are the CNAs just possibly gossiping?

I'd tell my supervisor that I feel unsafe working with that particular resident (due to the reasons you specified) and request not to. Personally, I'd encourage my co-workers to speak to the supervisor regarding their experiences also, but that's just me.

[OwlieO.O]

They situation should be fixed immediately. That is an extreme health and safety hazard, and they're looking at a lawsuit if it's not taken care of with knowledge about it. I would refuse until this is resolved.

[elkpark]

If this person is actually repeatedly getting hold of needles to leave lying around, that's a staff/facility problem and the administration needs to be investigating this. Where/how is he getting needles? This is a big safety and infection control issue.