I'm not sure if this is the apropriate place for this thread so forgive me if it is not.
I am not a nurse (yet) but have taken a job at a local nursing home as a resident aide. My reason was to get some experience as I will be going to school for nursing soon. Today was my first day and I have some severe concerns. Please tell me if this is the norm, or are these red flags???
The home is owned by a company in England. They just took over and nearly all the staff has quit due to changes (cut in pay..hours..that sort). The English owner is here for 2 weeks and has ordered that the facility was spending way too much money in food and thus has made up a precise menu on portions..leaving no room for seconds. The people are quite used to be able to get their fill. I asked if the restrictions were Dr ordered..answer was no..which is how I learned about the "cut".
Security: When I first applied, I rang the bell. A resident allowed me in. No one was around for a good 5 mins.. I could have been anyone walking in. Furthermore, a resident can just walk out. And it is right off a main road. NO gates.
Hazards: Where do I begin? Bleach, cleaners..meds.. all within easy reach and plain sight of residents. Again TODAY WAS MY 1st day.. I have not been trained, I have NEVER done this stuff before. I was handed a diaper and told to go change a resident. Ok, how.... A baby is easy to move around, an adult?? OMG that was rough, but I managed. My concern is...since I havent been trained, what if I hurt one...move them the wrong way?? Which lead me to another resident. When I got him to roll over, he screamed in pain.. I panicked and asked what was wrong..he told me where it hurt and after some digging..learned he had fallen a few days back, no report was made..and the Admin had just found out about it and ordered some x-rays.. How do I know I didnt hurt him even more???
I applied as a resident aide..however, I did housekeeping most of the day..on top of watch residents, change diapers, and help feed them. Im not complaining but the staff is myself, the cook..and the Admin during the day...for 11 residents. It's a bit hard to "watch the floor" if I'm in the laundry room or mopping a residents room. Is this how it works?
My biggest problem is how easily anyone can walk in or out and all the safety hazards..or am I over reacting? If anything, I learned this today... should the day come where my parents need care.. it will be by me..not a nursing home.
One other side note..I'm not sure if I gave the wrong impression..but just to clarify.. the Admin is not the owner. The owner who is here from England..is a woman.
OK.. I sent a post to a local news station..it read as follows:
"I worked here 2 days and had great concerns. I went to a nurses forum and all said it needed reporting. I did call the Florida Abuse Hotline, and they only seemed concerned about the gentleman I reported out by the road. I honestly do not know if the following is acceptable or not. Please read the link in its entirety. If you feel there is a problem here, I ask you to send someone...perhaps posing as one looking for a job...go there..see how easily you get in and just observe. Again I worked there 2 days, they took no information from me. I could have been anyone. Was never trained, and the sanitation , in my opinion, was horrid. In the link you will see a few pictures I took. They even had me washing different peoples fece soiled clothing together... that cannot be right. If I am over reacting, I apologize. But I would NEVER put anyone here.
The topic is "Severe concerns or over reacting?" By Blueapples (me)"
I also provided the name and address of the facility.
Good for you. I hope that someone will taks notice and cleans the place up or closes it down. Thank you for having a good sense of appropriate conditions and the willingness to act on it. You will make a fine nurse. :thankya: :yelclap:
The assisted living facilities are now being inspected and licensed, at least in my state. They have rules to follow, although most of them are not as strict as long term care.
As far as the laundry is concerned. The housekeeping/ laundry staff does ours and it is not separated by resident. There are specific rules that they need to follow with the handleing and care of the laundry.
Safey of the residents should come first. We are not even permitted to leave peri wash out let alone a can of Comet under the sink. The plug cord in the first pic is a hazzard too.
Now the asthetics...it might not be a crime for a few paint chips though, unless it is harboring dirt (germs)
Just FYI, I'm not sure what state you are in, but you can check on these regs on line.
One other side note..I'm not sure if I gave the wrong impression..but just to clarify.. the Admin is not the owner. The owner who is here from England..is a woman.
OK....so now I'm concerned this woman may also own similar facilities here in the UK. We also have very strict rules about the way our LTC facilities are managed, and the people who own them have to be deemed a "fit person".......if you know this person's identity and which part of England she is from, please PM me. I hope this doesn't sound like a "witch-hunt" but I am very passionate about ensuring our elderly population are well cared for, especially when they are vulnerable and have to rely on others for their well-being.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
The wheels of change in ALF often move slowly. Several safety and health issues clearly expressed by you here. See the makings of a great patient advocate and future nurse. As a former ombudsman, I've seen worse conditions.
Several of these pics show major potential for injury-- cord high risk for falls; poisoning from open cleaning products in resident rooms.
Could see a facility admin justifying that "staff just did not follow procedures". Dangling vent "being worked on".
Highest concerns are giving meds labeled for one patient to another (hard to prove), soiling and lack adequate caregivers that COOK needed to help you (cross contamination), mentally challenged resident in road without supervision.
You say that hospice is involved in this facility. I would also follow-up and call hospice program and ask to speak with Supervisor/DON to report your concerns and request supervisory visit of patient. Hospice also has a duty to report.
As usual, great advice given by our nurse experts.
You will be pleased to know that I just got off the phone with the Ombudsmen of Florida. He is taking this seriously and it will be investigated. Furthermore, I called the HealthCare Administration and they did a verbatim report. I have been assured that this will be looked into and that I will be sent information as to the outcome. However, I did get the impression that it could take awhile...
Blueapples - you did the right thing. You are really to be commended to taking a stand for these patients. Advocacy is not something that is always easy to teach people, you already have it in your heart. Great job!
Thank you all for your support and help in this matter. I am grateful for you and this website. I have learned so much in the short amount of time that I have been here. I cannot thank you all enough.
As soon as I hear something, I will let you know!!
RUN VERY FAST! Don't you EVER give meds to a patient! You are not a licensed RN/LPN and is ILLEGAL for you to give meds..even tylenol! If you stay you are putting your future at risk. Don't go back..call the Dept of Health, JACHO...give me the name of the place and I will report them for you!
:thankya: :yelclap:
blueapples
14 Posts
One other side note..I'm not sure if I gave the wrong impression..but just to clarify.. the Admin is not the owner. The owner who is here from England..is a woman.