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Discussion

Patient Fall

I had a patient fall the other day but I wasn't sure whos fault it is. It happened a little before I clocked out and heard that a resident managed to go outside and fall. I am the night CNA responsible for the resident but the AM CNA was there already and started his shift fifteen minutes before the fall happen. The resident has two alarms- a wanderguard alarm and an alarm that goes off when she gets to close to the entrance door which is attached to the bottom of the wheelchair. Well the alarm that is attached to the bottom didn't go off and is broken. THe wanderguard alarm was on, I made sure. The AM shift nurse doing the report kept trying to say that the wanderguard alarm wasn't on when I had three witnesses ( two cnas and a nurse say it was on). I'm not sure what good that will do since the alarm only goes off if she tries to get off her wheelchair. The nurses did an assessment and they said she's ok but I feel very guilty about it that I couldn't sleep. Also, the door only opens when you press the handicap button but stays open only for a short time. It is also kinda far away from the door so I don't know how she got out so fast, shes not that fast. I also can't believe no one else saw her go outside, the time was around when AM shift was coming in and housekeeping was right there mopping the entrance.

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    Instead of trying to determine who is at fault, determine what is at fault instead (which it looks like you have already identified some factors) and what can be done to fix it. Although it sucks and can be scary, patients fall. No matter how many alarms a patient may have, a patient can still fall. You just have to try to do everything possible to prevent it. Try not to beat yourself up over it.

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    I've realised a while back, the wanderguards do not always work! I've seen residents with them on, going out of doors that are alarmed. But, as the last person said, don't beat yourself up over it, it happens.

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    One thing Ive learned as a PCT. NEVER trust a patient if there is any chance they can fall. Its murphys law of patient falls. If they can find a way to fall, they will find it, and you will be held responsible, so cover your butt.

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    I used to work with a physician who said it is a patients right to fall, always made me feel slightly better.

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    I would look for another place to work. A nurse that is saying something that you did not do and she did not check on? Bad news. She will cover her behind.

    Report her anonomously.

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