Possible alleged neglect complaint... I hate snfs

idreamofnursing17 · Nov 5, 2016

I've wanted to be a nurse forever, do to the long lottery waits I decided to start as an LVN. Long story short I became employed at a snf- initially I was supposed to do admissions but got forced to work the floor.

A few days ago a family stopped me walking out the bathroom- they know me- and asked that I give the pt pain medication I let them know I was on break. The family became upset, stepping in my face. I walked away. I endorsed to the other floor nurse that patient wanted a pain medication (family requested not pt). The patient ended up not getting the medication until after my break -30 minutes. As soon as I clocked back in a had a call from the MD regarding a temperature of 103.5 and lethargy of another patient, I took the to and explained to the family that I had no emergency and to give me 5 minutes at most.

This particular pt is on a great deal of pain medications and she is hardly ever awake- mostly always sedated. On oxycodone 40 MG bid, dilaudid q3hrs as needed. Anyway I proceeded to give the 2100 meds as it was close to that time. The FAMILY said, but we requested you give her a dilaudid, I said excuse me she is her own rp- patient sat there saying nothing. I asked the patient if she was OK with her medications she said YES. then he family proceeds to take my picture, yes my picture on their phone.

Fast forward to today, this same patient made a complaint on a cna a few days ago. The administrator told me it's a possibility for her reporting me also if state speaks with her so be aware that this can be considered neglect.

I'm so disappointed and seriously considering quitting. I dislike snfs. We are over worked and have zero support. He began to tell me that they can take my picture without issue ðŸ¤”.

I'm upset because the Nurse that was not on break could have pulled the medication easily or her husband who is the RN supervisor. This place employs family members only. You have to be family to get help or support.

What should I do? Is my license at risk..how can I learn from this and protect myself?

Yes I have several witnesses. I have a new job lined up already in two weeks, I've put in a request to be on call then..not sure if I should just quit. My thing is I hate throwing in the towel. Any advice.

allnurses Guide · Nov 5, 2016

Avoid being out on the floor anywhere when you are on your

break, and you know that there are overly demanding family

members nearby. That's one piece of advice.

So the family demanded that you give the resident pain

medication, but then you asked the resident, did she need

any PRN medication, and she said no, she did not? The

resident is alert, oriented, able to make decisions. If

all of the above is documented, you should be fine if

any serious accusations are made. ALWAYS DOCUMENT

EVERYTHING.

Where is your next job? Please tell me it's not another

SNF. Get your RN, ASAP.

allnurses Guide · Nov 5, 2016

And I would not "just quit". You only have two weeks. You

can make it.

idreamofnursing17 · Nov 5, 2016

It's at a primary health clinic í ½í¸Š. RN in the works as I take my HSEI on Tuesday. Is it too late to document in the chart? The facility has no policies or forms to protect me.

allnurses Guide · Nov 5, 2016

No it is not too late. When you go back to work, make a late entry,

date and time everything that happened, when it happened.

Good luck on the new job!!! :)

allnurses Guide · Nov 5, 2016

It should look something like this:

Nov. 1, 2016. *LATE ENTRY* Resident seen lying in bed. Family asking this writer to

9:01 pm give resident a PRN Dilaudid. This writer asked resident, was she in

significant pain that she felt required an extra dose of

pain medication. Resident answered "No". Pain medication

not given at this time.

Make SURE it is dated and timed for THAT EVENING and time that it occurred.

allnurses Guide · Nov 5, 2016

Okay, I can't get it to look like an actual chart entry. Hope you get

the idea. :)

Davey Do · Nov 5, 2016

Fact: You enquired of the patient if she needed or wanted her pain med- an appropriate and prudent maneuver. An empirical and objective assessment is made and acted upon by the person responsible for that act. The act is not the result of hearsay by a bystander.

Documentation is made ASAP, but inserted documentation can always be made. Documentation, adhering to the policies and laws of confidentiality, can be made for your own personal records in the event you need to recall specific, objective facts.

In summary, idreamofnursing, you are not guilty of patient neglect.

You merely are guilty of not meeting the immediate gratification needs of involved parties, as no harm came to the patient as a result of your appropriate actions.

allnurses Guide · Nov 5, 2016

Davey Do, I love your avatar.

idreamofnursing17 · Nov 5, 2016

Is this note ok, or not factual enough?

*delete if not allowed.

The writer was approached at 1915 by residents family- while attending to a COC of another resident- requesting pain medication. Resident found lying in bed and stated to be in no distress. Once other resident was stabilized the writer administered pain medications. Family stated that they requested another type of pain medication. Residents medications were explained to resident whom is alert/ oriented Ã—4. Resident verbally conveyed contentment. Family upset verbally angry, stepping in writers face. Will endorse.

End Note

Davey Do · Nov 5, 2016

This:

The writer was approached at 1915 by residents family requesting pain medication. Resident found lying in bed and stated to be in no distress. Family stated that they requested another type of pain medication. Residents medications were explained to resident whom is alert/ oriented Ã—4. Resident verbally conveyed contentment.

The other note is fine for your own records, with more specifics on the other patient.