morango576

Hi everybody! I've got some news about that patient... My agency called me this morning saying that DCF called and wanted to talk to me, and the office manager gave me the investigator's phone number. Then she said "Is that about that patient so and so (her name)?" I was stupid enough to say "Yes". Then later I realized how dumb it was to say that. I should have said "it's confidential", or whatever. Anyway, I called them and spoke with the person and I told her that the agency asked me that question, and what I answered. The investigator said: "well, it's none of their business, why are they asking you these things? They should know they should not." THen I thought "I know, I'm too dumb to have answered them." But anyway. I told them the agency called my pt's daughter after I had wrote the first report on the bruises, saying that I was concerned with the safety of my pt. YOu know what the investigator said? "They had no business calling the pt's family to tell them you had written a report and that you were concerned with her safety! That should have been kept confidential!". I told her after that, the daughter started treating me horribly, and saying all the time that maybe they didn't need me anymore there. Then it created that weird uncomfortable situation between family and me. Now I am just wondering if the agency is going to tell the patient's family that I contacted DCF and they'll be after them. Wouldn't this be against the law, since the information is confidential? What can I do to protect my rights? Thanks for reading!

As I was leaving the agency on Friday, one of the girls who work there at the office said "Do you like purses? If you want to look, I have a bag here full of them..." And all these other CNAs looking at the purses and buying... and I was the one thinking "this can't be a serious agency"...

Yes, Ms. N.A.! I agree with you! You can never be too good. I think I failed on this. I am wondering what kind of aide they sent to that patient I had. I'm sure no matter how good she is, there will always be a complaint. And the other (underlying and serious) issues will keep on...

I know, Cali... that shows that they really care for us workers out there.

I think that lady (upper management, I guess) that called me that evening said something to my office manager. I know they were very nice to me when I went there today. Or tried to.

I agree with you, Nursel! They are just trying to make me feel bad for what I did. I don't feel an inch bad about quitting the case. It wasn't because I'm new. It was because it just wasn't right. Anyway, the only thing the person of the Elder Abuse Hotline gave me was her name and ID #. I don't know how I can look up the case, etc. I would REALLY like to know what will come out of this. Oh by the way... the agency has assigned a new CNA for that patient. I wish her all the best.

I was thinking about not quitting right now... I want to stay for some more time until I can find something else to do. That's why I will just keep this patient for now.

Good afternoon to all! I went to the agency today. I had to file a patient complaint form, which I did. I stated that it became a question of safety for myself to work there, as I had already informed the agency that these issues were going on. I also said that the patient and I got along really well and that unfortunately the family members made it impossible for me to follow my aide assignment sheet. Also I mentioned that I had alerted the agency about the verbal abuse going on... towards my patient and also towards me (the son yelling at me all the time). At the end I mentioned that the daughter forbid me to call the agency to talk about these issues, threatening to talk to her care manager and quit the agency altogether. So I asked the girl there to make me a copy for my records, which she made. Now I'm saving every copy of everything I write down. The office manager and the personnel specialist met with me privately in another room to ask me what had happened. I told them everything, that this has been dragging and now I can no longer work there, although I enjoyed helping my patient. They were very polite and understanding when I explained everything, and they said they understand that I'm a new CNA and that I will learn as time goes by how to deal with people (did I deal with the family wrong?). Anyway, they said the daughter told them that I "required them to be at home at certain times and called them 'incessantly' on their cell phones". HOGWASH!! I explained to them that the only time I called the daughter on her cell phone was like 15 min before I had to leave, since she didn't live with her mom, and Bozo (my pt's son) who was there refused to sign my paper or decided to go to Walmart and wasn't back yet. I told them I had to leave by 11am because I had to drive to my other pt's house and be there at 11:30am, and there were times that I was late because I could not simply leave my patient at home by herself. I told them that they were making this game with me, knowing I had to leave. They said "well, you could have called us and we would have called them". I said, "I told you guys a couple of times when I came in the office that this was an issue". Well, I think I did ok. I hope. I was honest and stated all that happened. Early this morning they had called me to ask to substitute for another aide, but I couldn't. When they called me then I knew they would not fire me. That was a good thing. Anyway, I guess this is taken care of. I told them for now I don't want any more new patients. I am starting to look for other agencies, or starting my interpretation job a few hours a day, also my school. I have to thank you all so much because you have been following through with me on this ordeal, and you guys have been so supportive!!! THANKS SO MUCH!

Thanks Cali! I will follow your suggestion... :icon_roll Will let you know tomorrow how it went.

Thanks Cali! Well, I am talking to the client's daughter right now, and she really likes me. She said "if it depends upon us, they will NEVER find out, I promise yoU! I really need and like you!". I told her, the only thing is, if I quit the agency, she will have to accept another aide from the agency to replace me. I told her she cannot tell the agency she doesn't want anybody else from the agency anymore. I agreed to basically work on the weekends for her. Right now I go Mon-Thur. I explained to her that if we don't do this way, then they will definitely know something is going on. Tomorrow I have to go to the agency and drop paperwork and get my check. I wonder what my office manager is going to say. Thanks again!

oh thanks, Nursel! I am not there yet, still on pre-reqs... Well, the lady took my report, I tried my best to be accurate and remember everything. What is going to happen now? Are they going to call me back? I really would like to know what happened to my patient... I care for her.:redpinkhe Thanks!!!

Cali-- I'm sorry but I did not get your point on that other case. I'm dumb... Yes, I know they can sue me if they want to. The question is: how would they find out? At the same time I want to do it, I'm scared as well. Hard enough to pay for nursing school, let alone give away $2500. I don't know... I don't...

then... I don't know... i think I better not (don't have $2500 lying around)!

I know... as a matter of fact my agency has that policy. I am scared to death of working for this family and the agency finds out. $2500 in fines! I understand why they would have this policy. But at the same time, the really can't control what I do with my life after I leave the agency...

I'm concerned with who is going to back me up on this...