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Cleaning solution out of a large sprayer and a clean mop head for every case. Never have used a wet vac, sounds loud and messy?

We do not share any type of meds between patients. Every thing has to be labeled for that particular patient, so it couldn't be done.

I believe our policy requires two doctors signatures, usually it is the surgeons and the ER doctors that we get. Only for emergencies, and I have personally only used the policy once in 18 years.

It has become quite evident that this is a very emotional topic, for all sides. If you are mandated to attend a 12 step program to keep your license, and you feel it violates your rights, then by all means fight that decision. If you lose your right to practice your profession during that time, so be it. That is as much of a choice as is abusing drugs. Some keep pounding on the fact that a 12 step program is religous. If that is a problem, don't go. If you can't keep your license because of your convictions, so be it. It's all about choices. The fight is with the BON, not with 12 step programs. To abuse is a choice. You also have a choice on how to get out of the jam you get into by abusing. Get the idea I think this is all about choices? That's because it is. People have the idea that having a choice means there is a good choice and a bad choice. Or at least a fairly good one and a bad one. Sometimes there are two bad ones. Like go to a 12 step program or lose your license. Remember, no one puts us in that position but us. This thread has veered all over the place. I will say this again: I don't want you there if you don't want to be there. This is a program for people who want to be there. Your actions put you into this situation, and only your actions can get you out of it.

I wish the anger and frustration would be addressed to the powers that mandate people to attend the 12 step programs. I have said it before, going to say it again: I don't want to be part of a meeting where there are people who are forced to be there. I cannot say it more plainly: If you don't want to be there, I don't want you there. I am not there to help someone get back their licenses, whether it be drivers, medical, or legal. I am there for me. If I can pass this message onto others, and practice these prinicples in all my affairs, all the better. So all of the anger, and rhetoric about the religous part of the program? I understand you feel. Take it to the Boards who are putting you at the meetings. Give them all of these arguments, and figure out a compromise. But place the responsibility for what has happened where it belongs: On the Board that decided the course of action, and the chosen behavior that sent people to them in the beginning.

NO ONE should be forced by a governing group into ANY 12 step program. It sucks for the person being forced into the meetings, and it sucks for the people who are there because they want to be. And it is frightening to me that a Board of medical professionals would have so little knowledge of the disease of alcoholism that they would do this on a seemingly routine basis. I never knew until reading this forum that this is apparently a common thing. I applaud anyone who can find sanity from this disease, no matter which course you take to get there.

Who wants to be at a meeting where there are people who are forced to be there? If they feel the spiritual part of the program is unacceptable, how do they feel about the 'anonymous' part? I am not surprised that people who are forced to attend meetings would look for a way out. It is unfortunate that it puts the programs in the position of having to defend itself. It works because you are ready to be there, and become willing..........

I do agree that it is a spirtual program, although some call it religous. Not to be confused with 'Christian'. Never heard, in 20 plus years of 12 step meetings, a word about Jesus Christ. I know some people want to use the word 'religous', a blanket term of sorts. 'Religous' does not equal 'christian' IMHO. Do I understand your thoughts on how the 12 and 12 came about? Sure, but Bill and Bob tried really hard to keep that stuff out of there so more people would give this program a chance. Now, back to the first topic...........I have never felt that a 12 step program should be mandated for any reason. The reason it works is because you want to be there, not forced to be there. So does the guy have a case? You bet.

Check your facilities policy book. There will be one that deals with the procedure you would take in the event there is a storm severe enough to move patients to a more secure area.

Circulators may only wear a watch, no other jewlery. That includes covering earrings, etc. We have signs posted every where, have a policy about it, and remind Xray, anesthesia personel, sales reps, surgeons. We have been told this a Joint Commission thing, I have not personally seen the policy. We also have difficulty with the surgeons not wanting to take off their necklaces. I had a simple solution: Document that they are aware of the policy, and if Joint gets them, let them get the ding AND pay the $$$$$. Of course we won't do that, because at our facility we continue to enable their unacceptable behavior......as in being a baby about taking off necklaces..........

mfdteacher wrote: We do not need foreign nurses, we need to address the problems imposed by the system currently in place. As long as the dollar is more important than the patient, we'll never go back to the hospital. You said it best! I don't mind being mindful of the budget crisis in health care, but let the doctors shoulder some of the responsibility in the situation. As for foreign nurses? We are a town of 36,000 and have a community college close by that has ADN and an LPN programs. It is the only thing that keeps our shortage at bay.

Add to the overworked, underpaid, and unappreciated: understaffed, and in my enviornment, lack of respect by physicians, which is fueled by adminitrations continued support of verbally abusive physicians. I work in an OR, where when the doors close and the patients are asleep, the docs can act anyway they want, and they do. Cursing, name calling, sexually explicit remarks and degrading "jokes". No, not every case, not every day, not every doc. But enough that it is a moral buster. "Confidential" occurance reports are shown to the docs. Our greivance system is non existent. After 16 years I am looking into other facilities, but resent the fact that our administration does not take a more supportive role in this situation. And yes, I have used the term "hostile enviornment", documented up the wazoo, and what I get is this: One doctor (the worst offender) refuses to work with me any longer. Good for me, except my weaker co workers ( they find the behavior as offensive, but don't want to be labeled a "difficult person to work with", which is what the one surgeon called me) refuse to do this, except for a couple more. Some of my co workers now resent me "because it isn't fair that you don't have to work with ........" So, yes, I would like more money, not have to work so much mandatory overtime, have more time with the patients, but don't see it happening any time real soon. I hope that what I read in this thread gives me hope that there is something we can do, and are willing to follow up on...........

Here is the scary part: Can you say "HIPPA"? Not only do we have to make sure patients are unable to get to things they shouldn't be taking home, we have to make sure ALL patients privacy is protected. Sounds as if they over reacted, and being rude is not acceptable behavior. Period. But the rules and regulations are stacking up on all of us, and it obviously is starting to show with those nurses. Still unacceptable.

There is no celebration at our hospital, because then they "would have to do something special for all other positions" meaning dietary, housekeeping, xray, lab techs, etc. Be grateful if your facility supports you by recognizing it. (It was picked because it is Florence Nightengale's birthday, right?)

I like the masks with the attached shields the best. Can't find a pair of goggles that are comfortable, and the side shields are ineffective, imho.