habanero

habanero's Latest Activity

1. 

   Are you aware of how you conduct yourself in public?

   habanero replied to rkitty198's topic in Nursing

   Too many people have taken HIPAA way out of context. Saying Hi and asking how are you doing is not divulging any medical history (which is what HIPAA was meant to protect). In our small community, not saying HI, would be considered rude. When people call to the hospital you can divulge that a person is a patient unless the patient requested they be a no-post. You can post their name on the door if you want because this is not health information but rather just demographics. So just acknowledging them in the supermarket or anywhere else is not a HIPAA violation. We have taken HIPAA way too far and it has caused a lot of grief for many patients and their family members. As for changing my behavior, I am a Christian and do not go out to bars or get drunk. However, if I wanted to I believe that would be my right as long as I am not coming to work hungover or still drunk and putting my patient's at risk. I do believe that we should not do things where we break the law and we should conduct ourselves responsibly. I wonder if this would even be a question if we were lawyers or bankers.
2. 

   Dangerous nurses

   habanero replied to funmom's topic in Relations

   Aloevera, Conditions of participation states that medication errors can not be used as a punitive measure but rather as a learning tool. A facility who participates with Medicare or Medicaid can get in trouble if they make medication errors punitive unless it is down as an outright malicious act.
3. 

   Code Status Error - An Ethical Dilemma

   habanero replied to Simkah's topic in Nursing

   I hope some of you know work in states where they have standardized color-coded wristbands. This was brought about because of the many nurses who work PRN or travel. Texas started in January and we have implemented this in our hospital. The idea behind this is that you can go to any hospital and purple will be DNR, yellow will be fall risk, etc. However, you still have to make sure staff places the bracelet on the patient. I would also like to ask you to remember that we are not infallible. I am sure when the charge nurse told you that the patient was a DNR that she thought she was correct. I noted that you mentioned at least twice that it was a chaotic unit. The charge nurse was possibly just as overwhelmed. There are many of us who have made mistakes in our nursing career that have made us sick. Just look at all the medication errors that are reported. It does happen. I think it is harsh to feel that the charge nurse should have been counseled, reprimanded or even fired. Rather, it seems that the system is what is in need of an over haul. I do believe that we should always be honest with our patients and I am sorry that the hospital did not come forward with the family. I would also like to point out that a DNR usually means no CPR or other heroric measures. However, it does not mean NO TREATMENT. That is a pet peave of mine. I don't know how many times I have heard nurses or doctors state "do not do this or that because they are a DNR." I believe that is why a lot of people are afraid to make a decision of DNR or advanced directives. They are afraid they won't get any treatment. It seems this is an area that we all still need a lot of education.
4. 

   Am I too old to just be starting?

   habanero replied to Roxy0628's topic in General Students

   I was 30 years old when I started my pre-requisites. I am now 49, have attained my BSN and Masters and work as a Director of Nursing in a hospital. We are never too old for anything we put our mind to. We are only as old as we feel (sometimes that is ancient). LOL:yeah:
5. 

   Dangerous nurses

   habanero replied to funmom's topic in Relations

   I have not read everyones post so this may have been brought to everyones attention. It is our mandated duty by the Board of Nursing that we report to the Board any behavior or conduct that is harmful to patient's or others. If we are not doing our part then we only have ourselves to blame. We can't always leave it to our managers or directors. As a DON I don't know why any manager or director would not report some of the behavior that I have read in your posts. However, again it is everyone's responsibility to report misconduct or unsafe behavior. Please read your Nurse Practice Act.
6. 

   Code Status: When Should We Talk About It!

   habanero replied to klg315's topic in Nursing

   Medicare requires that we discuss advanced directives with our patients upon admission. However, I know that this is poorly done. Most nurses and/or admission clerks just ask if they have one and do they want to execute oen if they don't. The discussion is not really gone into real detail until it is too late and the family is required to make the decision at the last moment. My sister was 46 years old when we were asked to make a decision about DNR. First of all, the nurses expected me to initiate the conversation with my family since I was a nurse. They forgot that at that point I was a sister and not a nurse. However, I did discuss this with my family and they were able to make an informed decision. Thank God they did not want to see her suffer and agreed to let her go. I believe that as nurses we have an obligation, not just by law, to find out the wishes of our patients.
7. 

   I am GETTING out of hospital work! This is BULL!

   habanero replied to NurseCard's topic in Nursing

   I am really sorry you went through that. As a Director of Nurse's I am appalled that someone in authroity would be so uncaring. Unfortunately, sometimes as supervisors we get burned out by people who are calling in all the time for every little thing that we forget how to be caring and how to recognize those who are truly sick. My staff (thankfully) always remind me when I am getting out of hand. Ha Ha. Again, we work in a small facility and everyone is like family so everyone pitches in when someone is sick and covers the shift. However, since you were overstaffed to begin with this should not have been a problem. Have you tried talking to someone in authority?