Pt stole from a worker?/drama

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Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.

When I was working yesterday, we had a pt on our floor who had a sitter. This pt was supposed to stay in bed but was not restrained or sedated and was always getting up and walking around (they finally put a Posey on her about 4 hours later........the doc was there all day and saw everything happen :selfbonk::selfbonk:).

In my understanding, when a sitter (hospital provided) is present, that sitter is to stay in the room at all times except for breaks and lunch, then the sitter is to find someone to cover for him/her. Basically, the pt is to be supervised 24/7. Well, the pt asked the sitter to go get her some crackers so the sitter leaves the room with nobody to watch the pt and when she came back, she says that the pt stole money out of her purse! If the pt wanted some crackers, the sitter is supposed to call us so we can get them for the pt and the sitter can stay and keep watch. The sitter knew this because she did this the first time I worked with her (same pt) earlier this week. They called security up to talk to the sitter but of course security can't just randomly search a pt so basically a report was made and that was it. The room was searched later but nothing was found.

Am I wrong for thinking that she got what she deserved? I mean, she left the pt unattended along with her belongings including her purse that had the somewhat lg amt of cash in it. The sitter knew that even though the pt was not supposed to be oob, that she got out anyway and was walking around. She also knew that this pt has a hx of ETOH, drug abuse, and due to other things was not to be trusted. :smackingf

I mean yeah, it's crappy that it happened but I don't feel any pity for her. The sitter had to point out to me that she was crying. I don't know why she felt like she had to tell me but she did. All I could think was that I had work to do and didn't have time to listen to her tell me why she had to call me into the room (and take me away from work that had to be done on other pts) to point out the fact that she was crying. :banghead:

I just had to get that off my chest.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I don't bring any money to work. It sucks when someone wants to make a Starbucks run, but at least I don't have to worry about anyone stealing my (non-existant) cash.

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Yes, she shouldn't have gone for the crackers, but sheesh, a little compassion for your co-worker would have been in order. Haven't you ever made a thoughtless mistake?

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When I was working yesterday, we had a pt on our floor who had a sitter. This pt was supposed to stay in bed but was not restrained or sedated and was always getting up and walking around (they finally put a Posey on her about 4 hours later........the doc was there all day and saw everything happen :selfbonk::selfbonk:).

In my understanding, when a sitter (hospital provided) is present, that sitter is to stay in the room at all times except for breaks and lunch, then the sitter is to find someone to cover for him/her. Basically, the pt is to be supervised 24/7. Well, the pt asked the sitter to go get her some crackers so the sitter leaves the room with nobody to watch the pt and when she came back, she says that the pt stole money out of her purse! If the pt wanted some crackers, the sitter is supposed to call us so we can get them for the pt and the sitter can stay and keep watch. The sitter knew this because she did this the first time I worked with her (same pt) earlier this week. They called security up to talk to the sitter but of course security can't just randomly search a pt so basically a report was made and that was it. The room was searched later but nothing was found.

Am I wrong for thinking that she got what she deserved? I mean, she left the pt unattended along with her belongings including her purse that had the somewhat lg amt of cash in it. The sitter knew that even though the pt was not supposed to be oob, that she got out anyway and was walking around. She also knew that this pt has a hx of ETOH, drug abuse, and due to other things was not to be trusted. :smackingf

I mean yeah, it's crappy that it happened but I don't feel any pity for her. The sitter had to point out to me that she was crying. I don't know why she felt like she had to tell me but she did. All I could think was that I had work to do and didn't have time to listen to her tell me why she had to call me into the room (and take me away from work that had to be done on other pts) to point out the fact that she was crying. :banghead:

I just had to get that off my chest.

You are right that the sitter shouldnt have left, especially her purse. But still, I think showing pity and understanding for a fellow co worker shouldn't come so hard. Really!

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Specializes in ER.

Who among us would leave our purse in a patient room? Especially a patient with a history of drug abuse? Just giving them access to identifying information would make me cautious, but money too? It's too bad, but it's also her own fault.

Anyone who takes you aside to point out that they are crying is all about the drama. No sympathy here.

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

I don't bring valuable stuff to work. Just a few dollars for lunch or a coke. Why on earth would you bring your purse with a lot of money in it and leave it in a patient's room? Sounds pretty weird to me... Did anyone actually see the patient take the money? How do we know the sitter isn't just making the whole thing up to get attention--especially with the whole crying thing.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Why would she take her purse into the patient's room? Not that I don't have sympathy for a co-worker who has been robbed, but she used very poor judgement and set the situation up herself.

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Yes, the sitter should be in the room at all times unless otherwise told by her/his charge nurse. Since there was nothing that could be done, I would have just told her, well, let this be a lesson, I'm sorry for your loss (if there was a loss) of money, but never bring valuables to work. Why would she have to point out she was crying? Was she being melodramatic? I also would have had her discuss it with the nursing supervisor instead of me so I could get my work done.

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no one deserves to have their things stolen. she was irresponsible for leaving her things unattended, but she didn't deserve to have her money stolen by any means. why would you say something like that?

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Easy.......when money is stolen because the owner didn't use brains, it's a matter of "I'm sorry you lost your money, but you have a lesson to learn here." It would be different if she'd secured her purse somewhere and stuff was stolen, but what she did was an open invitation to theft.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Easy.......when money is stolen because the owner didn't use brains, it's a matter of "I'm sorry you lost your money, but you have a lesson to learn here." It would be different if she'd secured her purse somewhere and stuff was stolen, but what she did was an open invitation to theft.

Completely agree with you. Sounds a little fishy that she left her 1:1 to get crackers for them. If she actually had money stolen, she should still count herself lucky that nothing happened to the patient or she could have been fired and/or facing charges.

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Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg, ED.

I am a very sympathetic person, BUT.....

What, besides money could that patient have taken from the sitters purse? I have seen lots of damage done with simple things like nail files, tweezers, etc. The fact that the sitter would take anything into a room troubles me. What if she had something that could be used as a weapon in that purse? Staff members could be put into a fairly harmful situation.

I think sitters should not carry anything into the patients room other than maybe a book.

Just my 2 cents.

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