Patient fell and died a few days later, was it my fault?

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Yeah, I'd say it was your fault for 1) Allowing the patient to get out of bed (If she got out of bed by her self when you weren't there, you wouldn't be held responsible) and 2) Helping her go to the bathroom by your self when you knew you wouldn't be able to hold her.

I'm sorry if it sounds harsh but its the truth, this is the reason nursing homes must prefer male CNAs?

If the patient refused the urinal and refused to wait till a bedside commode was in places then there is not a whole lot that can be done. You can't FORCE patients to do anything, if they want to go against the orders then all we can do is discourage them, offer alternatives, and provide safety.

Nurses regardless of Male/female shouldn't be expected to lift patients full weight. Having a male CNA is preferred by patients because ambulation is difficult and they don't want to deal with it BUT that doesn't make it the most beneficial route.

WKredz, what would you have done? Left the patient alone so you could get a bedside commode? And don't say "got another staff member to get me a bedside commode..." because everyone knows that on a busy medsurg floor that there are no extra staff to help you!

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Specializes in pcu/stepdown/telemetry.

pt's do have the right to refuse anything as per the pt bill of rights. he can refuse to wait for a commode and or tell you he will get up on his own regardless of what the platelets are. in my facility the only thing we can do is either a bed alarm, a 1:1 staff, call the md and let them know of the refusal and then document it.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
WKredz, what would you have done? Left the patient alone so you could get a bedside commode? And don't say "got another staff member to get me a bedside commode..." because everyone knows that on a busy medsurg floor that there are no extra staff to help you!

No WKredz does not know how busy a unit can be....He is not a nurse. From reading his past posts I don't believe he is a CNA and it would appear he was not able to pass the EMT exam.

I suspect this person is just going from post to post stirring up trouble.

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This one is hard to call. Stay strong.

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What is this with "order's"? Do doctors over there really "order" nurses to do something? Is there no team work, don't nurses have any autonomy? Wow that's unreal!

Calm DOWN!!!!.

Yes doctor's write orders and nurses are expected to follow the orders except they view it not in the best interests of patients.

Geez, does it irk you that much?This feminist nonsense irritates me silly.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I hope you find some peace. Ultimately it was the pt's choice to walk to the BR.

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Specializes in NICU.
Calm DOWN!!!!.

Yes doctor's write orders and nurses are expected to follow the orders except they view it not in the best interests of patients.

Geez, does it irk you that much?This feminist nonsense irritates me silly.

Actually I'm male so I don't tend to spout "feminist nonsense". I am just of the opinion that "orders" should not come from professional's working on the same team, there should be respect and understanding of each other's role. I am an independent practitioner in my own right and would not take "orders" from anyone, nor would I give them to others.

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Don't understand why you would post this on a public website in view of the possibility of a lawsuit.

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If I were in your shoes, I would contact a lawyer and run this by him/her. There could very well be an internal investigation going on and you need someone on your side. The facility admin and their 'team' of lawyers are there to advocate for the facility, not necessarily you. If you receive a request to come in to interview/give statements to admin, Dept. Of Health Investigator, etc. about what happened, it would be in your best interest to have your own lawyer right there with you.

I'm with the poster who mentioned keeping your own notes about everything that happened. Slowly recall and record every detail no matter how small and seemingly needless about the incident. Keep any emotion or opinion out of this as this is facts only. Like a nursing note: Only facts and objective data. Do it soon while it's still fresh in your memory and include any interactions with the patient's family, management, admin, other staff, etc. Say NOTHING to those who do not need to know.

Good luck and please let us know how things are going, but only if you are able to safely and legally do so.

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This is a bad situation. I know you were only trying to help. When I have people like that and they refuse the bedpan and other cares...always go by docters orders. If he tried to get out of bed on his own later and you were not there...well, then you are no way responsible. Just an important lesson learned early on in your career.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

Well, after reading all the posts I have to make some comments. First, (not the OP) if you don't like giving or taking orders, being a nurse in a hospital (or a doctor or a PCT or...well anyone in that setting) is probably not the right place to be.

Back to the original subject. I think we are really doing a disservice to the OP and other nurses by saying "well, it happens..." as if there was nothing that could be done. I'm not going to blame the OP for what occured, but the 'defense' better be more that "it happens." Hospital administraion and lawyers are not going to accept this. While you cannot chart now on what happened then (i.e. his refusal to use the urinal/demand to use the BR) you should, as someone else said, write down for yourself everything that happened that day with that pt, keep it private, and use it if something comes of it the future to give a detailed account of what happened. Also, probably best to keep it away from a public msg board such as this.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
This is a bad situation. I know you were only trying to help. When I have people like that and they refuse the bedpan and other cares...always go by docters orders. If he tried to get out of bed on his own later and you were not there...well, then you are no way responsible. Just an important lesson learned early on in your career.

How is a nurse NOT responsible for a patient falling even if you were not physically in the room. The nurse is 100% responsible while the patient is under the nurse's care. There are measures that can be taken to

Prevent falls. Bed alarms are probably number 1!

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