Parent Insists Nurse Brings Pt to the BR When SHE Uses It!

[SunnyPupRN]

Wow. I just talked to another nurse from our agency who said she had oriented with a peds patient in the home. Apparently the child has to be constantly monitored because he/she puts stuff in his/her mouth and has elopement precautions. I don't know the dx, but the nurse said the parent was there, and instructed the nurse that she would have to take the child to the bathroom with her when she went because of all the precautions. I found that ludicrous, way past crossing the line, and a very easy set-up for accusations down the road.

The nurse said she didn't mention this to management, but didn't intend on going back to the assignment. I thought she should definitely mention it, because another nurse will be sent there and have to deal with those expectations.

If the child cannot be left alone for the few minutes that a nurse is in the bathroom, what are the alternatives? To me it sounds like they need a sitter AND a nurse.

[quazar]

I have NO clue how I would handle that other than yeah, the NM absolutely needs to be notified of this, because it's a huge liability risk. I have a good friend with a child who fits this description, and to be honest, I never really thought about this scenario. With my own child, who fit this description when he was younger, we never used caregivers other than myself, my spouse, or a grandparent, and I always just took him to the bathroom with me so it was never an issue.

I can ask my friend who has a severely affected child and uses caregivers about 30 hours a week, and see what she says, if you wish.

[NOADLS]

Apparently the child has to be constantly monitored because he/she puts stuff in his/her mouth and has elopement precautions. I don't know the dx, but the nurse said the parent was there, and instructed the nurse that she would have to take the child to the bathroom with her when she went because of all the precautions

Would the patient happen to be a teenage girl with an eating disorder? You've got to watch those anarexics and bulemics. Turn your back even for a second and they are up to no good.

[Kitiger, RN]

OK, the child has elopement issues. If he/she should decide to make a run for it while the nurse is caught with her pants down, that would make an interesting chase ...

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Would not take that position.

[SunnyPupRN]

I have NO clue how I would handle that other than yeah, the NM absolutely needs to be notified of this, because it's a huge liability risk. I have a good friend with a child who fits this description, and to be honest, I never really thought about this scenario. With my own child, who fit this description when he was younger, we never used caregivers other than myself, my spouse, or a grandparent, and I always just took him to the bathroom with me so it was never an issue.

I can ask my friend who has a severely affected child and uses caregivers about 30 hours a week, and see what she says, if you wish.

​I would be interested to know...thanks.

[SunnyPupRN]

Would the patient happen to be a teenage girl with an eating disorder? You've got to watch those anarexics and bulemics. Turn your back even for a second and they are up to no good.

I got the impression it was a younger child, and I think she used the word 'autistic,' but I am not sure, so I didn't put that in the original post. But no matter what the dx, don't you think the nurse has a right to privacy when using the BR, and a right to protect both her license and herself?

[NOADLS]

I just re-read this. I was only able to skim earlier since I was on the road. I originally thought it was about watching the kid while the kid was using the washroom, not the other way around.

The parents are clearly fishing for something here at the expense of whoever they hire. The solution is to make a "pen" somewhere in the house where you can put the kid while you use the washroom. Just take everything out of the area and the kid will be fine.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I just re-read this. I was only able to skim earlier since I was on the road. I originally thought it was about watching the kid while the kid was using the washroom, not the other way around.

The parents are clearly fishing for something here at the expense of whoever they hire. The solution is to make a "pen" somewhere in the house where you can put the kid while you use the washroom. Just take everything out of the area and the kid will be fine.

I was thinking along those lines, too. Not sure how old the kid is, but some kind of restraint should be able to keep them safe for 45 seconds while you pee.

[NOADLS]

I was thinking along those lines, too. Not sure how old the kid is, but some kind of restraint should be able to keep them safe for 45 seconds while you pee.

What if you have to poop?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to the Private Duty Nursing forum since this situation is specific to home care.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Are private duty nurses expected to work without duty free bathroom breaks? Seriously?