pt fall during shift change

[payatot21]

my patient fell last night during change of shift, i havent gotten report for the patient yet. who's responsibility would that be? pt was A+Ox1 as reported by prev RN, but without any bed alarm, vest restraints/ med. thanks

[ktwlpn, LPN]

my patient fell last night during change of shift, i havent gotten report for the patient yet. who's responsibility would that be? pt was A+Ox1 as reported by prev RN, but without any bed alarm, vest restraints/ med. thanks

I think it is appropriate to assess the patient with the nurse who you are going to get report from-she can write a nurse's note detailing what happened and then you can take over and complete the rest of your fall protocol documentation.

That's what I have done....

[infectionRN]

This should be shared by both nurses, it gets done faster and both are thanful for the help. If you both pitch in, one assess the pt. and one call the md., you both chart what you have done.

[GQRN]

my patient fell last night during change of shift, i havent gotten report for the patient yet. who's responsibility would that be? pt was A+Ox1 as reported by prev RN, but without any bed alarm, vest restraints/ med. thanks

Since bed alarm is not considered a restraint, it is always safe to put a bed alarm on a patient who is considered confused or fall risk. Legally even tho you are clocked in, but since you still hadn't received report on that patient, you are not liable for the fall at all. You didn't even know the patient yet. Sounds like the previous nurse neglected to intervene to maximize patient safety, the fall could had been prevented.

So don't sweat, you weren't at fault at all. But I do want to tell you that soon as you finish report on similar patient, make sure you go in and make the pt's surroundings and environment safe. Bed alarm, elimination needs, intake needs... etc.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Since bed alarm is not considered a restraint, it is always safe to put a bed alarm on a patient who is considered confused or fall risk. Legally even tho you are clocked in, but since you still hadn't received report on that patient, you are not liable for the fall at all. You didn't even know the patient yet. Sounds like the previous nurse neglected to intervene to maximize patient safety, the fall could had been prevented.

So don't sweat, you weren't at fault at all. But I do want to tell you that soon as you finish report on similar patient, make sure you go in and make the pt's surroundings and environment safe. Bed alarm, elimination needs, intake needs... etc.

I agree that the oncoming nurse isn't yet responsible for the pt since she never got report. However....the person might have been confused, but does that make them a fall risk alone? Not sure on this....you would have to know more history. Heck...if that was the case 3/4 of my LTC would have alarms all over the place. Did the previous nurse neglect to interviene...could that fall have been prevented....again...we don't know all the background.

Back to the OP question...I'd assess and get report with the nurse. She could write a note then I would finish the reports...unless she/he offered to help with that.