I work in a long term care facility, to cut story short, a female resident, about 80 yrs claimed she was sexually assaulted at night, thrown to ground, clothes teared and fingered (sorry for being explicit) by male CNA and pts own brother at night. OK, heard this when i got to work and was like, nothing happened on my shift or any other shift that was reported to us (nurses), she slept OK and had breakfast, lunch and brought this up at shift change (2 PM). Police called, social worker, room mate interviewed and statement recorded, of which she says she didn't hear anything, she is alert and oriented. No bruises no scratch marks no torn clothes on resident with assault claim. After all was done, police left stating there was nothing they could do. however ALL male CNA's were sent home/suspended for 2 days without pay pending investigation by administration. QUESTION: has this ever happened in you workplace, what is to deter residents from making such allegations if pple are suspended, fired or even taken to jail. WHAT IS YOUR WORKPLACE POLICY.
Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU, Psych, Med-surg...etc....
You know, you may not have the "right" to refuse anyone because they're an offender...but you do have the obligation to your residents and staff to only admit what you can truly take care of. A sex offender is a sex offender and they never change. Unless the person is totally incapable of getting to others, or has become so demented that they forgot what it is they "like", then they are a risk. With that being said...sometimes its the demented folks that are NOT on the list that cause an issue. My personal opinion is that these folks should not be placed in with a helpless population, there needs to be some other arrangements made (their own "special" place). I have a real problem with this, but at least with the regulation that says you have to check, you will know what you could be facing should you be forced to admit someone with this problem. And also, it is true...sometimes it is the staff that are scary! And...tell the Medical Director that he can take that offender home with him to live with his wife and kids....
i guess some of you are taking the topic out of hand. I agree that there are some cases of abuse and that abuse is a serious issue. However, ALL the male aids were sent home without pay. If they were sent home and paid that would have been a whole different issue. I guess most policies are GUILTY until proven innocent. The lady was quite vivid in her recollection of the story, maybe its something that happened in the past, dunno. But thanx for your inputs, nice to know its not a 1 in a million scenario.
There was a big incident in my area. A demented resident said she was raped. From what I understand, she said this often. Over and over, the staff just let it go. One day someone investigated and low and behold she was being raped by the maintainance man.
He was caught and arrested.
When you think about it..who is more vulnerable then the demented?
There was a big incident in my area. A demented resident said she was raped. From what I understand, she said this often. Over and over, the staff just let it go. One day someone investigated and low and behold she was being raped by the maintainance man.
He was caught and arrested.
When you think about it..who is more vulnerable then the demented?
i do understand it is and really empathize (not sympathize) with geriatric Alzheimers/dementia. I am not trying to discredit this patient or say it never happens in facility's. Question is when is dose happen, is suspected to have happened or patient points a finger (not at anyone in particular), then what is the PROCEDURE. I wish there was a clear consensus on this issue. It doesnt happen alot, but when it does its like a sucker punch in the nose.
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
My facility has an investigation procedure. We have an incident report specifically for suspected abuse (physical or sexual in nature) If there is any physical evidence found then the police are called,the resident is sent to the ED for exam and the employee(s) involved are suspended without pay until the claims are substantiated or disproved -if found unsubstantiated they come back and are paid for the time out. You should have some type of incident report ready to go-just" fill in the blank" type questions and a policy and procedure written. In my facility the most senior staff member on duty starts the investigation-she notifies the physician,the family and interviews the resident and staff involved. She then notifies the DON and administrator of her findings and calls the police if neccessary. It's a pretty straight forward procedure. All staff must always report any accusations of possible abuse in LTC even if you know the resident is confused,paranoid or just plain mean.It's our duty to protect them. In my years in LTC I have seen one situation involving repeated rape of a late stage demented female by a male housekeeper (he pled guilty and is out of jail now) I have seen one family member caught attempting to fondle a late stage demented female and one male resident rape another. All staff involved really ,really needed alot of support. In the first incident the whistleblower was treated poorly by admin in the beginning of the investigation.She stood her ground and was vindicated(thankfully)
At one facility I worked, we did accidently admit a resident that was listed as sex offender. We did have a very explicit plan of what we did if we admitted a patient that was at risk for assualting any other patients. To begin with that patient would have an employee assigned to him/her 24 hours a day for 2 weeks. That patient would be careplanned for the risk and if no episodes occured the resident could be changed from constant supervision to 15 minute checks... over time the patient could be decreased on his/her supervision depending on their behavior. We got stuck with this patient only because of an over zeolous admission coordinator who conviently forgot to tell the administrator and the DON until the patient shows up and the transport person announces the situation on Friday evening at 5:00pm. It was a mess. I did hear that after I left that facility that particular patient had been decreased on his time for monitoring. He was found hitting another resident and he had to go back on 24 hour montoring. I belief that facility had to find other placement for that patient. Always beware of Admission Coordinators they have quotas and are under constant threat of termination if they can't produce. Sometimes they bring in patients that are not appropriate.
My facility has an investigation procedure. We have an incident report specifically for suspected abuse (physical or sexual in nature) If there is any physical evidence found then the police are called,the resident is sent to the ED for exam and the employee(s) involved are suspended without pay until the claims are substantiated or disproved -if found unsubstantiated they come back and are paid for the time out. You should have some type of incident report ready to go-just" fill in the blank" type questions and a policy and procedure written. In my facility the most senior staff member on duty starts the investigation-she notifies the physician,the family and interviews the resident and staff involved. She then notifies the DON and administrator of her findings and calls the police if neccessary. It's a pretty straight forward procedure. All staff must always report any accusations of possible abuse in LTC even if you know the resident is confused,paranoid or just plain mean.It's our duty to protect them. In my years in LTC I have seen one situation involving repeated rape of a late stage demented female by a male housekeeper (he pled guilty and is out of jail now) I have seen one family member caught attempting to fondle a late stage demented female and one male resident rape another. All staff involved really ,really needed alot of support. In the first incident the whistleblower was treated poorly by admin in the beginning of the investigation.She stood her ground and was vindicated(thankfully)
i wish there was a procedure like this, mayb ill bring it up and we can look at getting some of those forms. all we have is the normal fall/incident investigation report and its more narrative than putting check marks. thanx
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Thewritten policy and procedure and incident report really do help-everyone involved seems to go into shock and it's difficult to gather your thoughts procede effectively without a guideline. We even have an incident report for phoned in bomb threats.Have not had to use it in years but it's there and I remember it asks things like "Could you hear any background noise during the coversation?" Stuff you may not think about at the time because you are freaked out.
Just today my Aunt who has alzhiemer's and is 95 yrs old was grooped in her nursing home bed. An alarm went off in the room, when the aid walked in she saw a male resident in his wheelchair with his hand on her leg, her dress up and her breif down. The alarm was from his wheelchair. Doctor called and examined her and concluded she was not sexualy abused. There will be an investigation and I was told that a police advocate will also be called. I was told I could not be told who this resident is because of hippa. I didn't know hippa protected abusers. I don't get it. I am her POA and think I should have a right to know who did this. I'd pull her out and take care of her myself if I could. She has been there for 8 yrs and she thinks this is her home. Moving her anywhere would be devasting.
Wow...I would think keeping that man would be a lawsuit waiting to happen. I would be very persistant in asking what they are doing to prevent this from happening again and protecting all the other residents.
I wonder how often this is happening and the public/ families are un aware of it? We had a case like this that made the news, but how many don't?
Yes it is. I have called the Dept of Elderly Affairs, The Alliance for LTC, and talked to a policeman I know in the town. So far they said they are keeping a better eye on where he is all the time. They seem to be doing what they can. The strange thing is I think I know who the pt is. If I'm right he was my patient for 2 yrs at an assisted living where I was working at the time, and we had similiar problems with him also. Last night while visiting my aunt I heard him say to another female pt " Are you going to kiss me, take off your shoes and I'll kiss your feet" I want them to move him to the other hallway, but I don't know if I'll get my way. Of course I can't tell anyone there cause I can't be sure. I know this happens but isn't it sad that a 95 yr old women still has to deal with it. I live an hr away but will be dropping in on them more often.
debRN0417
511 Posts
You know, you may not have the "right" to refuse anyone because they're an offender...but you do have the obligation to your residents and staff to only admit what you can truly take care of. A sex offender is a sex offender and they never change. Unless the person is totally incapable of getting to others, or has become so demented that they forgot what it is they "like", then they are a risk. With that being said...sometimes its the demented folks that are NOT on the list that cause an issue. My personal opinion is that these folks should not be placed in with a helpless population, there needs to be some other arrangements made (their own "special" place). I have a real problem with this, but at least with the regulation that says you have to check, you will know what you could be facing should you be forced to admit someone with this problem. And also, it is true...sometimes it is the staff that are scary! And...tell the Medical Director that he can take that offender home with him to live with his wife and kids....