Safe Practice? Report to Corporate Compliance/HR/Magnet?

[mpct]

I have been a pct at a hospital for a few years. I have had nothing but great reviews from patients, nurses, other pcts - I am not lazy.

Lately I have had some bad staffing assignments which I think are totally unsafe practice. Before I take the step to make a formal complaint I wanted to get your idea if this is unsafe practice:

Background: Magnet hospital, stroke unit.

Night of the 17th --

2 PCTs for 25 patients. 5/6 of my patients were total care. For these patients I have to do q2 turn, boots hand splints off on q2, bladder scan cath if necessary, change clean, set up feeding bag run feeding either 2x a shift or once a shift for sure. This is in addition to the other 5/6 patients I had. Some patients have early therapy so we are expected to dress 2 patients. Around 430am the other pct got sick and I ended up working alone for all 25 patients from 430am till 7am.

Night of 25th I had following assignment:

patient 1 - turn q2, clean change, bvi bladder scan cath if necessary, 2 feedings 12 and 6

patient 2 - calls to use bathroom needs bed alarm

patient 3 - turn q2, clean change, bvi bladder scan cath if necessary, 1 feeding at 6

patient 4 - calls 3-4x to use bathroom needs bed alarm

patient 5 - turn q2 clean change bvi bladder scan cath if necessary, 1 feeding at 6 dress up

patient 6 - turn q2 clean change bvi bladder scan cath if necessary 1 feeding at 6

patient 7 - turn q2 clean change bvi bladder scan cath if necessary dress up

patient 8 - calls for bathroom bed alarm

patient 9 - calls 3-4x to be changed dress up

patient 10 - calls 3-4x for bathroom

Is the above unsafe practice for 1 pct? Should I make a formal complaint to corporate compliance/HR/Magnet?

[roser13, ASN, RN]

What does your job description state as your duties?

Why is your first instinct to report your assignment to Corporate Compliance/HR/Magnet? (Talk about over-reaching!)

Have you asked your immediate supervisor to remedy that which you obviously consider to be an unfair assignment?

Bottom line: Why do you feel that your assignment is unfair? Is your assignment greater than another's? Is your assignment greater than you were led to expect on hiring?

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

No, I would NOT make a complaint. If you do make a complaint what do you think will be likely to happen, Do you really think they will look at this list and say,"Oh dear we are really working these pct's too much,let's hire some more and put another one on each shift". You will appear as just as another complainer and that will be likely to be the case even if you tell them you are not lazy.

You will also have to explain why you believe it is unsafe and if it was that easy to do then all the states in the US would have staff safe ratios and as it stands only California has fought like hell to have that law in place and that only applies to RNs who do much more than what is on your list. You can take care of any life threatening issues first,then those that may cause injury and then the things that are ordered then the things that are routine.

I think this will put a big bulls eye on your back and I think you should decide how much you like your paycheck. Employers like problem solvers and not complainers so look at the work and figure out a way to streamline how you do it first, DO you work at a team with the other pct. What have you done to make it easier for you. Also was this just a few bad shifts because if so this is normal even if you had the exact same list of duties,one shift it may take longer because of varous factors.

[BD-RN, BSN, RN]

The only way for your voice to be heard is to say something.

That being said, have you gone to your supervisor? I would start there. Be diplomatic, not emotional, and state your concerns. Try to suggest a solution if you can. If your supervisor is completely unresponsive, THEN I would escalate.

Yes, California is the only state that has mandated nurse patient ratios for inpatient RNs. However, safe staffing is a crucial component to patient safety, whether it is the law or not. PCT's, Care Partners, or Nurse Assistants also have an important role in delivering safe and complete care of our patients. They need to be staffed adequately as well.

So many RNs don't speak up for fear of retaliation. The laws were enacted in CA because RNs spoke up. You won't get results by being complacent.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

I am not saying being complacent but I do not think calling the Corporate Compliance hotline is the way to go at all! I believe you need to bring to light a problem. What is the problem here exactly? Are things not getting done..are patients falling and families complaining...what is it other than you worked really hard an got the job done!

I was here in California for that fight and I know what we went through so it true you must bring problems to the light of day but it is how you do it that gets results. When a there is only one person complaining,about staffing it tends to go nowhere. If several pcts and RNs got together and prove you need more help then maybe you can get someone to listen!

[mpct]

I wasnt even thinking of HR or Corporate Compliance but a couple nurses at my job approached me about it and encouraged me for it. I thought before taking that step to come here put the situation up and get feedback. The feedback is obvious against going to corporate. I am glad I havent taken that step. Maybe it is just time to find a new place?

[needlesmcgeeRN, ASN, RN]

What are you expecting from a PCT job? What were previous shift assignments like? Have shift assignments like the ones you mentioned continued? How long is your shift? Surely, long enough to accomplish most of, if not all, these tasks.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

If your patients are at risk speak up. I would go to your manager with your concerns. Be professional and have your facts ready. Why is it dangerous? Have patients/families complained? Have the number of falls increased? Was there a death or serious harm done to a patient due to limited staff? Just saying you are overworked isn't going to cut it.. Also have some solutions in hand on ways to make your team work better, faster, smarter. Good luck!

[roser13, ASN, RN]

I wasnt even thinking of HR or Corporate Compliance but a couple nurses at my job approached me about it and encouraged me for it. I thought before taking that step to come here put the situation up and get feedback. The feedback is obvious against going to corporate. I am glad I havent taken that step. Maybe it is just time to find a new place?

Of course they did! Then you would receive any fall-out that might result.