PACU problems

[abbaking]

Last week, I had a patient who needed a "Bear-Hugger" (warm air blower) for post lady partsl surgery. No bear-huggers in Central Service. Called PACU. They have them, but need to be signed out. Went down signed it out and all is good.

Cut to this week. Patient is discharged on days shift....and equipment returned (according to day CNA and RN). I notice in the central desk in the nurses station a note. With LARGE font it read "SO and SO you barrowed a bear hugger for patient ____XYZ____(HIPAA Violation anyone?).....You need to return it to us.

Spoke with the charge nurse and my manager. Policy is that although the bear-hugger is signed out in my name, the discharging RN or CNA is responsible for returning it to PACU.

My problem with this situation was that - (1.) This letter was for all to see (2.) Contained patient information (3.) Was written with so large a font that the patients name and myself could be read from the hallway (4.) PACU staff didn't use the appropriate methods for inter-department conflict (an email would have been 100% better)

It also doesn't make sense to me that since this patient needed that equipment for her care, why didnt the PACU staff transfer the patient to the unit WITH the equipment.

[Babs0512]

I agree with the hippa violation. That should be addressed. I work PACU. Our bairhugger is NEVER borrowed by anyone. We only have one, and when we need it, we really need it immediately. So, if another unit needs one and there isn't one available, too bad, too sad. Suggest warm blankets.

PACU is a critical care unit, the equipment needs to be there when it is needed. When we are on call, we are THE ONLY PACU nurse on call - so, if I need something, I have no one to run for me to obtain it. That's why we have a strick "no borrow" policy - it isn't to be mean - just not safe to borrow from our unit in our small hospital.

Blessings