STM

Thank you I have printed it all out. It's pretty good, thanks for your help.

this was a death visit for hospice...I felt I owed it to the patient and family to do the best I could, since I was already "ordered" to go alone.

he Sorry meant to answer the question...I would have driven on now that I am not in the situation...and suffered the consequences, but I was literally told in threatening tones to go alone. I would have been in the same place I am now, but probalby I was in such a state of...I don't know, trying to do the right thing and take care of the entire situation, even though I am not qualified to deal with psychotics, etc. She had refused to send help and ordered me in alone. I figured she would be reprimanded, but the best defense is a good offense so that is what she did.

Sorry I don't have a fax... I'm at home...and don't have access to fax, unless I send one, and then I go out and do it

If you don't mind, could you just tell me the name and address of your agency???? Just for the attorney. Don't have to give your name, we wouldn't contact. I just have to show it's legitimate. Thanks so much, this is exactly what I need!!!

I agree, Final Gifts is the most awesome I've read so far. Tuesdays with Maury is excellent also...For references...I have found that a book for ALS, BY David Oliver...Palliative care in MND, has so much about palliative care in general that I love it.

We sometimes used ABHR suppositories if nothing else seemed to help for restlessness, nausea, and have lots of success.. acombination of Haldol, Benadryl, Reglan, and Ativan, it also comes in creams now. The combination seemed to work better than any of the drugs given alone. Every patient is different and can have different responses... I am so sorry you have had to go through all this. My first patient was my mother in law, and it was so very difficult to be objective when all I wanted to do was put my head by her pillow and comfort her and pray for it all to stop. Take care. Keep us posted.

I haven't seen a syringe driver in the US! We use Cadds, Abbott Aim's, Saberteck. I am back from my second trip to the UK to work in the St. Christopher's Hospice and with Dame Cicely Saunders. They have a super team, I don't recognize the names of some of the meds they use. The morphine may be given to insure that he is comfortable. It is also given to aid in his breathing. If the doctor thinks he is overmedicated...is this an oncologist type doctor or regular practictioner. Big difference in pain management skills and knowledge, but the nurse working with your dad the most should be able to help you the most with your questions. Plus, when they first add or increase a med, he may seem over medicated but needs to adjust, and will do that rather quickly. Take care, glad your dad has you to watch out for him!!!!

I understand and thank you. I begged for help, literally. I don't know how I even drove my car I was so scared, then to have the exe. dir. YELLING at me on my cell phone, I knew if I didn't go in, it would be instant abandonment. Instant termination. I felt if I gave it a go...at least I would have tried, and always figured I could kick and run...maybe. Never expected it to come flying back in my face.

WHOA.... I initially phoned the administrative call person, which was the executive director, and told her prior to the visit, that I had been forewarned and insisted on some backup...I asked 3 times.....stopping on the way as she directed me to go alone...and called, asking for help again. She refused to send backup, and advised me that I was not to call the police. When I arrived, the police were already there...and they wanted me to go on. I told them who I was and they asked me to park and come in. With police on his back, he was still able to bruise me with his grip. The rest of the visit was all right, but the psychotic friend started looking for the drugs I was about to dispose of, and it was decided that he needed evaluated somewhere, and was sent to the ER.

I appreciate your input. I have had two attorneys, one general one from the suspension which led to the termination....the violence was the biggest , the employment attorney is also super, and I've never encountered such empathy since this all started. I'm very grateful. I knew there would be work for me to do...and I don't mind. Maybe I missed my calling and should be a paralegal..

I am not paying a dime... he hasn't charged me anything...doesn't completely have a case yet. He has given me lots of advice, but not charged yet....

I have this letter in another forum...but thought the general discussion group might be able to help. Was doing home visits, hospice, and was told that a significant other was psychotic, and showing violent behavior. I called my administrator for backup prior to the visit, and was denied, x 3! Got through the visit but have bruises to show for it...and an attorney...now that I have been terminated, wants me to find policies other agencies have re: DANGEROUS HOME VISITS. So far no luck, nothing written. We had been told to take a second nurse if we felt threatened, yet I was denied. Attorney wants to see other policies....and have witnesses, which ain't gonna happen. Appreciate any input. Oxymorons don't belong in healthcare! Especially hospice! and Administrative!

I also developed an arrythmia soon after and spent 3 days in Coronary Care, where my executive director left messages for me to call and talk to her ASAP. So I do have plenty of documentation. And I was eventually terminated as a result. Thanks for your replies.

Hi, I was recently sent into a home as a home health nurse, which had a mentally ill family friend. I was warned he could be hostile, so before I went I called administration for assistance and was refused, 3 times as a matter of fact. I made the visit, the "friend" was out of control. My supervisor said I could not call the police, the family would have to, and I still could have no backup. I had some bruised arms out of it, and was able to get through the visit successfully, the family called the police, and he was taken by ambulance to the hospital. I finished caring for the patient and left. I am looking for any actual policies regarding employee safety in homes. Several agencies have told me no one is to go alone if there is any reason the situation is unsafe. I have not yet seen an actual policy. Hopefully someone out there can help me out, please!!!! I really need some actual policies that would defend me in further occurences. Our agency has no such policy but we're told to call for backup, never to go alone, in such cases. But it isn't in writing, and should be. Thank you for your time and help. Sincerely STM