nursek86

Just to clear things up a bit. No pt died from giving the diprivan. These pt were on vents (of course). Diprivan was not used freely. This practice had been going on for probably 5 yr +. Management was well aware of the practice as well as the DR. Diprivan was given as a last resort when all of the pain meds and versed were used and the vented pt continued to be aggitated. The reason this came to surface was a nurse in the OHU was giving his pt diprivan all nite. (I can't figure why, a little dab will do ya) anyway apparently he was also haveing b/p problems. When the day shift nurse came on, she ? him about it. he didn't do anything about the b/p and proceeded to tell he about giving the medication. No one cared much for this RN. So the Dr got mad and wanted to know why he did it. He said that everyone was doing it. OHU everyone DID give it. and to appease the Dr the hospital decided to have an investigation. So the whole thing snowballed. Even the Ky Bd of Nursing felt that this was an internal problem and a slap on the wrist and change in policy would have been enough.

Just to clear things up a bit. No pt died from giving the diprivan. These pt were on vents (of course). Diprivan was not used freely. This practice had been going on for probably 5 yr +. Management was well aware of the practice as well as the DR. Diprivan was given as a last resort when all of the pain meds and versed were used and the vented pt continued to be aggitated. The reason this came to surface was a nurse in the OHU was giving his pt diprivan all nite. (I can't figure why, a little dab will do ya) anyway apparently he was also haveing b/p problems. When the day shift nurse came on, she ? him about it. he didn't do anything about the b/p and proceeded to tell he about giving the medication. No one cared much for this RN. So the Dr got mad and wanted to know why he did it. He said that everyone was doing it. OHU everyone DID give it. and to appease the Dr the hospital decided to have an investigation. So the whole thing snowballed. Even the Ky Bd of Nursing felt that this was an internal problem and a slap on the wrist and change in policy would have been enough.

Well I can't believe that it has been that long. Guess I just let my mind wonder too much. Well the end of the story is.... Even tho the nurses were terminated from the hospital. we all have jobs now and I must say we came out much better. The Ky Bd of Nursing had their hearings. Needless to say they were not too happy about the whole mess. The hospital could have handled it internally and be done w/it. All the nurses were given a reprimand and had to pay a fine. do some hours in conscious sedation. The hospital wanted to get rid of some of us for a long time because we spoke out for a nursing union, which is desparately needed. Those of us who were pro union that were involved was an oppertunity for the hospital to get rid of us. So needless to say we all went. There are still some working that were involved but were pro hospital and unfortunately did not tell the truth. Guess it pays to lie. Thanks for asking. I AM SO GLAD THAT IT IS OVER. I have a terrific job and have NO STRESS and am able to talk w/well people. I have even gotten my sence of humor back. In reality I think the hospital did me a favor. Nursing is still the greatest porfession in the world. Nursek86

:kiss Now that is not they way to go. I feel your pain, but remember those people out there watch too much TV. Nursing is a wonderful profession. You probably need a vacation in the tropics. When you return it will look better. Those people need YOU. Nursing is NOT the same. Adm always is looking for the big dollars and we are just the means to get it. Adm dosen't refer to the people as patients they are CUSTOMERS, at least that is what we are told by the adm in my hospital. The public looks to us for comfort and caring and generally a shoulder to cry on and to use us as a sounding board. It gets harder all the time but believe me You will make a difference even if it is a small one. When one of your family members says thanks it will make it all better.

I am glad that there are so many nurses out there to talk to. You all are valid in your thoughts. I think when you stay somewhere so long you get the old comfortable shoe feeling and that is not good. I will let you all know when things get resolved. As for now it will be a wait. You all are a great bunch of people and as nurses words can't express what a truly unique profession it is.

Thank you, Well the nurses in the ICU was one who 7p to 7a shift. We have staffing for 7 nurses in our dept. We have about 16 staff on nights. so that was half. There were 14 RN s from the OHU let go. That is were the practice started. All the Doc's knew what was going on. So as long as they weren't bothered they didn't care. So when some of the RN from OHU came to ICU the practice continued. Guess we just ASUMEd it was ok. Thanks for caring.

Thanks whoO. We have standing orders for the Diprivan gtt, but not to give a bolus, besides the drug was always available on the unit and when a pt was on the gtt and it was d/c the pharmancy never requested it back. It was not a controlled med. None of us that were dismissed caused harm nor did it maliciousy. Remember there are still those nurses working that have done it and lies to Adm to keep there jobs. The hospital made it public so that we are not allowed to get a job anywhere else in the state. I gues I can say that. Our Att. really thinks something is fishy. We haven't heard from the Bd of Nsg yet. They think it will be a fine. The att stated that he knows there has been worse thing done and all the disipline that the hosp. did was slap the hand and sweep it under the carpet. Needless to say we did not have an order for the bolus!!. When things get wild and crazy your main concern is the pt. The newspaper art. stated that the hosp said The nurses were all experience, caring and concerned RNs , go figure

Recently I was going through Google about this subject and found your web site. I think it is great. I found the discussion about the fired nurses. Well I am one of those nurses. The practice of giving Diprivan to patients that are on the vent has been one that has gone on for years. The adm have known about this but have given the blind eyes and ears to it. Other nurses that I know in other ICUs stated that the same is true there. Giving Diprivan is not a common or continious proceedure, only when the vented pt is combative or restless and no other sedation will help. It is only the LAST resort. Pt familys have even been grateful that it has helped through the nite. Ironic that all the nurses that it effected were nightshift nurses. I would be thankful to those of you to keep us in your prayers. YES the hospital did this to cover up what is really going on. I will keep you all posted about this. Thanks for letting me tell my side