Night shift-no keys to central supply no keys to get briefs

amoLucia · May 5, 2017

Somewhere along the line, your previous system was being circumvented poss to the point of things being stolen. I mean no offense to you, but I did see this happen several times.

Another consideration was that over-dispensation of equip was leading to equip stock being depleted WAY TOOOO SOOOON. Either by staff wastefulness or staff theft.

I do blame some supervisors - they ALONE should have had the keys and been the sole person to go into the stockroom, But I knew of places where the super would give the keys to one of the more 'trusted' staff, who would retrieve whatever was needed. No supervision. And then there were problems.

So Admin would take back the keys. So, no to your question, your place is not unique. But it does place a terrible inconvenience on conscientious & reliable staff.

My suggestion - YOU suggest to Admin that they get a 'granny/baby cam'. Anybody entering should 'wave' at the camera and sign a clipboard what was needed.

This issue also occurs with the 'kitchen key'. Foodstuffs and equip freq disappear. I was kind of glad that I didn't have a kitchen key - couldn't blame nursing!

caliotter3 · May 5, 2017

When something like this would happen, an enterprising individual would contact State to file a complaint. Supplies would again be available on night shift to start the cycle all over.

Blackcat99 · May 5, 2017

As soon as I get to work now, I try to get supplies from the 3-11 supervisor who ALWAYS get mad about it. She always gives me lectures about how the nurses are always "hoarding all of the supplies". So not only is it inconvenient to try to get supplies from the 3-11 shift supervisor but I am made to feel "like a criminal" for even asking for supplies!!!!

Tippyrn · May 10, 2017

Don't let them treat you that way, you are getting what the residents need, you should be proud of yourself for being proactive.

Neats, BSN · May 18, 2017

Unless you are hoarding supplies there is NEVER ANY REASON WHY you should have to beg for those supplies. I would not put up with working in conditions where there are no supplies or limited supplies, as long as I have what I need to do my job and take care of residents I am fine. You should have keys to all necessary areas certainly this includes the supply room. There are other avenues management can explore other than the allowance of only supervisors can have the keys. You are the RN at night you are the supervisor. I would speak to the DON and Administrator. If they ay no then by all means make it a practice to ensure the "supervisor " provides the necessary supplies you need- give a list of items and the number you need of those items on a daily basis. If they do not provide then ensure you write the Administrator and DON each time the supplies are not provided.

brownbook · May 19, 2017

I'd love for you to call whomever has the keys at 0200 and say, "We're out of adult depends, can you come down and unlock central supply."

ponymom · May 21, 2017

You need to start letting families know how their loved ones are being treated...because the supplies are ultimately being withheld from them.

TBohmRN, RN · Jun 1, 2017

It's hard to say that they are being intentionally "withheld" from the patients. It needs to be brought up with administration/management first. Do they know it's an issue? Is it possible for the off-going staff to get supplies for the overnight staff until the issue is resolved? As someone else also stated- go ahead and call who ever has that key and ask them to swing on by the facility at 2AM and see how long that lasts. Stir the pot a bit, definitely... but slandering the facility and basically telling families that their loved ones are being neglected is a bit much if other routes haven't been taken to resolve the issue first. And if the facility is genuinely neglecting and with holding things from there residents that need them, then DIA needs to be called.

amoLucia · Nov 2, 2020

Somehow this old post popped up on me and I laughed as I read it again.

I'm reminded where I once worked as NOC super that I had MANY keys, but not ALL keys to all areas. Even though some areas I considered important, mgt did not, so NO KEY. Well, poop happened one night.

The fire system alarmed for a key-inaccessible area. The Fire Dept was present within minutes and they HAD to check out the area. Sooooo, they broke down the fancy big door, and a chuck of the surrounding wall went down with it.

As I recall, something had to be addressed (as in NOT a False Alarm!) FD was not amused to be delayed in a NH to not have easy access! They had NO qualms about breaking down that door! Different keys soon avail.

At another facility, we had a small, narrow holding-closet way in the back of the bldg by the service dock/delivery area. The little closet was only big enough to hold 1 stretcher with a deceased body that was awaiting Funeral Home pickup. (That really WAS the purpose of the closet!)

Well, a doctor had to come to 'pronounce' a pt, so he & the sup'v nurse went to the little closet. The door closed and SELF-LOCKED!! NO way for the 2 to get out of the itty-bitty closet and nobody nearby to hear them. Finally some delivery person arrived to ring the doorbell and the 2 were heard calling out. But there was a delay locating a key. The facility had master keys, sub-master keys, sub-sub masters, keys to get other keys, etc. I think maint had to come in to let the nurse with the house-keys out of the closet. There were no more self-locking doors after that episode. And key access changed.

Soooo many other stories re locked areas. Keys are like some type of POWER-PLAY. The key master is the all-omnipotent one! Until something backfires.

Seriously, key/area access has to be safe for the safety of facility pts, visitors & staff. So when that liability falls upon a nsg supervisor, Admin must be forthcoming with the supervisor's ability to perform that obligation. No getting around it.

Dani_Mila, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2020

Just reading this post made me realize that it is quite common in other facilities. Sometimes I have to gmhunt to supervisor for the key. He just gives it to me and I get what my patients needed since the supply room is barely stocked. One instances was someone was noted to be stealing supplies, hand sanitizer I heard so the supply key is witheld again, but it didn't take that long

amoLucia · Nov 28, 2020

Some school nurses here had reported that some of their PPE supplies were being removed. I would imagine that some other supplies are HOT-ITEMS like toilet paper, paper towels, disinfectants soaps, etc. Likely they started to disappear also.

So I understand the lack of keys to curb theft in these critical times.

Sad, but necessary. Unless a better system can be used.