Patient abandonment?

[BacktoBasics]

I wanted to get your opinion on patient abandonment. Some responses in another thread have me curious.

A long time ago I know of a RN (RN1) who was being questioned for abandonment by the hospital. She let her shift early and told the Charge RN "RN2 is here. I'm leaving". Charge RN's response was pretty much "okay have a good night!". RN2 comes in early all the time to prep for their for shift.

RN1 left a written report for the oncoming shift (RN3) but no one knew. RN3 (who was RN1's shift replacement) didn't realize RN1 left for the day (he thought RN1 was just busy). Charge assumed RN1 gave report to RN2 (since they came in early) and RN2 was supposed to give report to RN3. RN2 was never given report and not aware she was supposed to take care of RN1's patients.

I feel like this is similar to the other thread. Is that considered abandonment or not? I mean Chg RN knew RN1 left but thought another RN was covering those patients. This occurred in a monitored unit.

Ps- please don't quote I plan on editing.

[MunoRN, RN]

It might depend on state by state definitions, but in my state that is clearly abandonment. My BON defines abandonment as failing to confirm the receiving Nurse has both received and understood report, which the BON defines as the off-going Nurse verbally confirming understanding of report through at least some minimal verbal interaction, so even if the oncoming Nurse is aware of a written report, it's still abandonment.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

As stated each state may have variations on this definition. In California you must accept the assignment first and then sever that relationship without giving reasonable notice to a supervisor or the oncoming nurse that is accepting their assignment California does not designate how that report has to be given such as in must be verbal or written or even tape recorded. In California I do not believe that nurse would have been considered as having abandoned her patients. She gave a written report and told the supervisor she was done and leaving and was acknowledged. However the nurse should have had some concern for those in her care and made certain the oncoming nurse had the report and was ready to take over. It sounds like the organization is disorganized and needs a better system!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

The manager (charge nurse) for a shift is responsible for seeing that assignments are covered.

RN1 left a written report with the charge nurse with the perfectly reasonable expectation that it would be provided to oncoming shift (regardless of whom this might be-- what if RN2 had called in sick that day?). Not her reponsibility if the charge dropped the ball.

This does not constitute abandonment, in my book. (Disclaimer: I am not an attorney and do not play one on TV.)