1 nurse 1 patient on a floor?

Nurses Safety

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Specializes in Research Nurse Coordinator.

Hello. I am a nurse who works in research and we are currently growing our department and taking in new ventures. My question is, does anyone know are there laws regarding staffing requirements for an inpatient within a hospital in the state of Mississippi? Would it be acceptable for a patient to be admitted overnight on a unit with only one nurse there to observe them and a DOCTOR available if needed? No other staff on the floor. Just the one nurse. This doesn’t seem safe to me but I haven’t been able to find anything discussing it. 

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Specializes in Trauma, ICU, Critical Care, Recovery.

Not sure about the laws in Mississippi regarding this, but in a unionized hospital this would not be allowed. The nurse is entitled to breaks (bathroom/meals) and would need to be covered when away from the unit by another qualified nurse.  Regardless of if the nurse is only there to observe the patient. 

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If I was in your position I would call my state BON for clarification.

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Specializes in Oncology, ID, Hepatology, Occy Health.

I've been in this situation more than once. 

In a good hospital with one patient on an entire floor we were two nurses AND the night supervisor came to relieve us for meal breaks. Perfecto.

This is a safety issue.

In a not so diligent hospital I have been left on my own in a unit and been attacked by a confused patient. I escaped unharmed, but he threatened to cut me with a broken shaving mirror - not an experience I want to repeat.

If there is a unit next door and you can fling open the doors, they can pop over and see you're OK, they can hear you shout and hear your emergency bell etc., fine. But NEVER let yourself be left on an entire floor of a building with no colleague to hand, even with one patient. Or rather ESPECIALLY with one patient, since if the guy wants to attack you, rape you, or kill you, you're on your own. 

There was a horrible incident some years back in a psychiatric unit in Pau, southern France, where in an understaffed hospital a poor nurse and a care assistant were found decapitated by the oncoming day staff. We spend our lives talking about safety for the patients, but hey, what about safety for us?

Nursing regulatory boards, unions, and if you meet opposition, legal advice.

I wish you luck.

 

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