Patient fell, Forgot to reset alarm

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Ive been a CNA for about a year at a hospital working the Med/surg floor. Never had a fall. Today I had a 39 yr old patient, alcoholic dying of liver failure. Completely jaundiced but coherent and not confused at all. He was weak and wobbly, and needed help using the bathroom.

The first time his alarm wen off, he was trying to get out of bed alone to use the bedside commode. Myself and another CNA went in and told him he was not allowed to get up alone because he was so weak, and he said he understood. We cleaned him up, put him to bed, reset bed alarm.

The third and last time we take him to use commode, we get him back in bed. I leave room to get vitals machine. She pulls his covers up and leaves the room. I get his vitals and leave room, but forget to reset bed alarm. 1 hr later nurse goes in a finds patient on floor cause he once again tried to get up alone to use commode and fell doing so. Nurses come in and help patient back to bed. I was in the middle of helping a nurse admit a post-op. I go in and no ones looking at me, everyone is p*ssed. My manager informs me I need to double and triple check bed alarms. I shake my head yes and leave the room. This occurred 15 mins before the end of my shift. The patient is unharmed. I am now the jack@ss of the floor.

I go to give report to the oncoming CNA, when I go to tell her to be cautious of the guy that fell, she states she already knows, she heard, and she heard already I was going to be written up. News travels fast. The incident just happened.

To top it off, today was the first day the joint commission was visiting, so everyone was already nervous. :chair:

Needless to say, I know I screwed up, and its my responsibility, what Im concerned about is having this reported to the state and getting a black mark on my license.

So, how bad is this?:confused:

Specializes in Pediatric and Adult OR.

Oh that is BULL!! I think you were spot on in your assessment of that situation. Their freakin' loss. I hope you go somewhere that appreciates you. Good luck with everything.

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