Patient complaint filed

Katie5 · May 27, 2011

Well, I have to answer in writing to the Director. And, I never knew of her past history until 'after' the incident when I was charting. I actually feel sorry for her. She is so young and to be caught up in that kind of lifestyle, it's hearbreaking. And I know that what they percieve as pain or needing pain meds, actually to them is real. I just pray that she gets the help that she needs. And I understand what you mean about body language and tone of voice. A lot of times that is a dead give away of our true feelings. I was just so hurt that she would think that of me. Mind you...not mad but hurt. I cried all the way home and then had a good cry last night too. In the meantime, I have been put on 'investigational leave'. Ah...it has to get better!!
The Charge didn't notify the Manager until a day later, so this is now happening 'after' the fact. Yes, it should have been done while she was sitll a patient.

Baloney:uhoh3:.

I do hope everything is resolved.

Ruby Vee, BSN · May 27, 2011

i have a question for all of you nurses out there, how do you handle an investigation of a complaint by a patient about you?? i had a complaint against me by a patient that was drug seeking, (noted in her previous records and multiple visits to er), and the list for her goes on and on!! i am terrified of loosing my job due to this 'person'!! i have been an rn now for 7 years and have never had a patient complain about my care. :crying2:right now i'm so upset and sickened i can't even think straight!! help!!!

gosh aren't you lucky -- 7 years without a complaint!

patients complain -- sometimes it seems as if it's a necessary part of hospitalization, although i realize a lot of that has to do with location and the prevailing culture. calm down and treat this like the nonissue it probably is. if asked questions, be calm, collected, professional and factual. comments like (and i say this from personal experience) "that man was a freakin' lunatic" aren't helpful. comments like "i gave him the 2 mg. of dilaudid the physician ordered, and re-assessed his pain in 30 minutes. he still complained of 10/10 pain, so i contacted dr. nonarcs for further orders . . . " are.

good luck!

noahsmama · May 28, 2011

Put on "investigational leave"? Not allowed to see the patient's complaint? If it were me, I'd be lawyered up by now. That's outrageous! Good luck!

KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN · May 28, 2011

That seems strange. How can you respond to allegations when you don't know what they are?

Exactly. I a court of law the accused has the right to address the accuser. How the hell can you address specifics you don't know. I guess if they want a response from you without knowing what the complaint was then copy and paste what you posted here, without the cryng parts of couse. LOL Take the objecte stuff and respond with that.

How you are being treated by your management is less than acceptable though. I would seriously rethink whether or not it is a good idea to work there. There are just too many opportunities out there to put up with BS like that.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · May 28, 2011

Oh, please. Don't give this another thought. No one takes patients like that seriously. Go back to your previously scheduled programming. :)

KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN · May 28, 2011

Oh, please. Don't give this another thought. No one takes patients like that seriously. Go back to your previously scheduled programming. :)

Yes, but she said she is on investigative leave pending an investigation. I would say that unless she is on leave with pay, then it IS serious.

FunRun · May 28, 2011

No, she is not confused. She is a manipulative prig. I admire the visitor for telling this big baby off. She needed to be put in her place. It's a shame that you have to lose sleep over such an idiot.

I have read some very helpful advice and encouragement for this poor nurse going through an awful time, this however is not helpful at all. What is a "prig"? Also, I have found that the people who post on this site are very thoughtful and encouraging with their words-it would be nice if everyone used the same respect and professionalism :)

To the nurse going through this, just keep your head up and know that you did nothing wrong. Unfortunatly it looks like they are going to make you jump through some hoops before getting back to work but stick with it and when this is all said and done just take from it what you can and move forward. Best of luck to you :)

sissiesmama, ASN, RN · May 28, 2011

I know! I was 'told' that she didn't feel safe. They want me to write down exactly what all happened, said, etc. Geeze...I already did that in my nursing notes!

Seems like if the director needed all these details, u should be allowed enough infiormation to adequately defend yourself or your actions, other factors. Sounds like they aren't going to be very nice about this. Praying for you!

Anne, RNC

slackula · May 28, 2011

First, talk to a labor lawyer and have him contact them. This can stop them dead in their tracks. Also, one bit of advice , when a junkie asks you for her pain med and it is the legal time to give it--just give them the meds and ask for a psych consult. Junkies cause trouble.

radioactivern · May 28, 2011

First, do not worry. There will be may times when patients complain about you. We are all people and truthfully can not make everyone happy everytime. As long as you know you offered the best possible nursing care you could based on the patient condition, you have nothing to worry about. All patient complaints have to be reviewed and investigated, but that does not make you wrong.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · May 28, 2011

I have a question for all of you nurses out there, how do you handle an investigation of a complaint by a patient about you?? I had a complaint against me by a patient that was drug seeking, (noted in her previous records and multiple visits to ER), and the list for her goes on and on!! I am terrified of loosing my job due to this 'person'!! I have been an RN now for 7 years and have never had a patient complain about my care. :crying2:Right now I'm so upset and sickened I can't even think straight!! HELP!!!

It depends...did you refuse to triage her and get her help with a physician?

If you did, then she has a valid complaint.

It is up to the physician, not the nurse, to determine if a patient is drug-seeking. You can assess and communicate your suspicions but her previous chart has NOTHING to do with her current visit...you have to assess each one separately and you have to assume pain unless you can prove otherwise which is hard to do.

However, they have the legal right to be treated and be seen by the physician and if the physicians decides to medicate them anyway? That is on them..not you.

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · May 28, 2011

It depends...did you refuse to triage her and get her help with a physician?
If you did, then she has a valid complaint.
It is up to the physician, not the nurse, to determine if a patient is drug-seeking. You can assess and communicate your suspicions but her previous chart has NOTHING to do with her current visit...you have to assess each one separately and you have to assume pain unless you can prove otherwise which is hard to do.
However, they have the legal right to be treated and be seen by the physician and if the physicians decides to medicate them anyway? That is on them..not you.

Just wondering if you missed the OP's later posts explaining further what happened. This wasn't in the ER triage room; this lady was admitted to the hospital. Also, it doesn't sound like the situation/complaint had much to do with the patient being considered "drug-seeking" or not; that issue is a debate for another thread.

EDIT: To the OP, I agree with what many other posters have said about just presenting the facts of your interactions with this patient in a calm, objective manner. It's a horrible situation and from what you've said, I think your management overreacted by putting you on leave, but I think the truth will out. You know you provided good care for your patient.