At the LTC facility where I do PRN work a patient died and while she was a DNR her death was rather unexpected. This occurred during the early morning (about 5am) and night shift was still on duty.
When the LPN could not get an answer at the family's home, he left a message on the answering machine that their mother was dead.
Is it just me or is this a major NO-NO!?!?!?!?!?!?
I was kind of appalled when I heard this, apparently others were as well, which is why it is the topic of interest right now.
He Needs a BIG tatoo across his forehead that say "WARNING I AM STUPID : DON"T TRUST ME TO DO ANTHING IMPORTANT LIKE SPEAK" How awful for that family. What if he called the wrong number? He needs to go load the trucks at Walmart or something. With that sensitivity they could promote him to administrator.
There is a good chance it is not a HIPAA violation...a lot of facilities have a spot on an intake sheet or patient information sheet that gives permission to leave detailed information on an answering machine (with a "warning" that there is the possibility of a wrong number). Either way, it was EXTREMELY inappropriate...I can't imagine leaving a message like that on a machine.
That is the most tacky, incredibly, tasteless thing that I have ever heard. Not to mention completely unprofessional. How awful!
Have you guys heard from the family yet?
Haven't heard anything yet, but knowing the DON if she has heard about this she will address it in front of the entire nursing staff at inservice today.
I'll post the news. I really can't believe it, I always thought this guy was a little "different." Know I think he's just plain weird...Norman Bates weird.
I'm going to play Devil's Advocate here ... to encourage people to think about the situation in a more complex way ... as a somewhat academic exercise to move people beyond their personal "knee jerk reaction."
While it is certainly wrong to leave such a message in MOST circumstances ... under what circumstances might it be appropriate? I'll suggest one to get the ball rolling:
If the death is expected and the family has said that it is OK to leave a message if they can't be reached when the time comes..
I can image that my family would say OK to such an arrangement under many circumstances. If the people at the facility know the family well and know tha the family would prefer to be notified, then there should be no rules against it. We need to respect each family's preferences and not force our cultural practices on them.
Specializes in LTC, Disease Management, smoking Cessati.
At the LTC facility where I do PRN work a patient died and while she was a DNR her death was rather unexpected. This occurred during the early morning (about 5am) and night shift was still on duty.
When the LPN could not get an answer at the family's home, he left a message on the answering machine that their mother was dead.
Is it just me or is this a major NO-NO!?!?!?!?!?!?
I was kind of appalled when I heard this, apparently others were as well, which is why it is the topic of interest right now.
The answer is NO, you would never leave such a message ever! I've worked LTC for many years before my current job and there is just no way to justify that kind of message. The only message I would have left in that situation is for the family to call the LTC facility ASAP.
And as far as the family saying its OK... I still wouldn't do it. They may say it's ok but how are they going to react when the time finally comes. It's just common courtesy to talk to them in person. This is not news taken lightly even when it is expected. Not to mention invading privacy leaving a message on a machine where others can listen, or as some of you stated get a wrong number.... :::shaking head::::
Not to mention that, even if they gave their consent, you did it, and it was okay; if management gets P.O.'ed at the nurse LATER, part of her "list of crimes" could include "left news of patient's death on answering machine" (you know how they are), and that would be THAT.
imenid37
1,804 Posts
He Needs a BIG tatoo across his forehead that say "WARNING I AM STUPID : DON"T TRUST ME TO DO ANTHING IMPORTANT LIKE SPEAK" How awful for that family. What if he called the wrong number? He needs to go load the trucks at Walmart or something. With that sensitivity they could promote him to administrator.