Serious Questions about Neglect Etc.

burn out · May 7, 2006

I am very tired and going to bed after I write this. These kinds of situations make me very angry. Apples shouldn't judge oranges and if you are not a nurse I don't think you should be judging them. How do you know for sure if the nurse did in fact call the doctors and get orders, how do you know for certain what a nurse is suppose to be doing. I will stop, I hope I didn't offend anyone that was not my intent. I just get tired of people thinking because nurses don't do what they think they should be doing then we must be neglecting out patients or using drugs.

GeriatricSunshine · May 7, 2006

Perhaps your name suits you very well. I am very upset about your comment. I work very closely with the residents families.I have been asked to cover things up for the facility such as the call bell issue.This was NOT the nurses fault but I was made to say the bell system was working fine when it was not.

Maybe you are doing the judging here. Maybe you think I sit behind a desk all day, I don't.I am in on meetings where I shake my head on what they are telling people.

Neglect is a serious issue and I feel that this place is more about the money than patient care. I know nurses get tired, I work in LTC on weekends in addition to my "desk" job. There is 1 RPN in that facility who does meds and then goes home. The rest of the work is done by PSW's. Do not judge me.

As for the Bladder infection issue. The woman told the nurse on a Sunday that she was having urinary problems. Whe was her sample sent out? On WEDNESDAY. The infection had clearly progressed to the point where she was vomiting and had a systemic infection. Nurse's mistake? You betcha. Narcotics not locked up and med cart flapping in the breeze, you betcha.

I am concerned for the residents, because that is the type of person I am. As I said there are so many things that this place could get into big trouble for. I LOVE my job BUT I will not stand by and let this happen.:trout:

GeriatricSunshine · May 7, 2006

Again, I do know what goes on and what the nurse does. It is a small staff and most if not all paper work is processed by me. I do also know that the family came in and complained because the mothers infection was so bad.

I also think that I never said anything about drugs did I???

TazziRN, RN · May 7, 2006

There are some serious legal issues here, serious enough that perhaps you should rethink working there. It is highly illegal to alter a medical record in any country, and the neglect regarding the UTI is not good. I don't know what your system is in Canada, but here that facility and its nursing staff would be reported to the state board.

NrsJena · May 7, 2006

I have to agree. I would find a new job- and call the state. Have seen facilities reported for less. A malfunctioning call bell that left the patient without help is very serious. I'm sure the state would be very interested in knowing that. Please understand that while you may not have had a choice- by altering the documentation, you are liable for the lie also.Good luck.

Trauma Columnist · May 7, 2006

I have to echo the above posters' concerns for these patients. Is this an independent living facility or assisted living? What level of care is suposed to be provided? It seems to me that if there is only ONE LPN for 40 residents that things would be missed. I guess I didn't see why the resident with the bladder infection wasn't sent to the doctors office instead of waiting to send urine out. At any rate, covering events is not ethical nor in some cases legal.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · May 7, 2006

If you are really concerned and even think it might be neglect, then it probably is neglect. In the states all nursing staff is considered mandatory reporters. If you see abuse you must report it.

PANurseRN1 · May 7, 2006

Why did you lie about the call bell? Why do you sit in meetings and shake your head?

If it's that bad, you need to get out, and you need to report your concerns. I'm not sure how it works in Canada, but here if someone is aware of unsafe conditions and does nothing, that person is just as culpable as the people directly involved.

DusktilDawn · May 7, 2006

Geriatric Sunshine, is you mentioned that your facility is run by two RPNs, is there someone above them that you could take your conerns to? Unfortunately this route may also jeopardize your job.

You could also start with your local ombudsman, in fact this would be the first place I would start. Also the CNO (College of Nurses of Ontario) has a toll free number on their home page: http://www.cno.org/

You can talk/contact someone there about these concerns. If it can be proven that either of these RPNs altered documentation they can face disciplinary action from the CNO.

Here's a site you might be interested in Geri: http://www.cnpea.ca/

burn out · May 7, 2006

Perhaps your name suits you very well. I am very upset about your comment. I work very closely with the residents families.I have been asked to cover things up for the facility such as the call bell issue.This was NOT the nurses fault but I was made to say the bell system was working fine when it was not.
Maybe you are doing the judging here. Maybe you think I sit behind a desk all day, I don't.I am in on meetings where I shake my head on what they are telling people.
Neglect is a serious issue and I feel that this place is more about the money than patient care. I know nurses get tired, I work in LTC on weekends in addition to my "desk" job. There is 1 RPN in that facility who does meds and then goes home. The rest of the work is done by PSW's. Do not judge me.
Yes I have earned my name burn out and mostly from putting up with people like you. I am very concerned about you agreeing to lie for the place you are working...that is something I would never do .and most other people would not do it either CNA LPN or RN. What do you mean don't judge you when you sit back and judge others...judge lest ye not be judged. People that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Do yourself and the pateints and your residence a favor and leave.
How is it that you have a physical condition that puts you in the office at this job but on the weekends you are fine to work elewhere.

TazziRN, RN · May 7, 2006

Burn Out, she's asking for help here, not a beating. I see nothing wrong with her questioning what the staff did, because even CNA's are pt advocates. CNA's may not be allowed to DO the same things that nurses do, but that doesn't mean they don't know right from wrong.