So upset, can't sleep, lost hearing aid in LTC

[ProudLPN10]

I have been an LPN in a long-term care facility for 3 months now. During that time, one resident's hearing aid has been lost twice on my watch. A few hearing aids get locked in our med carts, making nurses responsible for them. The first time, nothing more was said, but I know that the facility paid for the replacement. That time, I mistakingly signed that I had them, when in fact, I didn't, so I truly was in the wrong. Well, tonight, the hearing aid went missing again. This time, the aide put the hearing aid on my med cart to lock up, which means I didn't get the hearing aid handed to me. When I saw the a pile of hearing aids on my cart, I went to lock them up. There was one resident's hearing aids and only the string to the other hearing aid, with no hearing aid attached. I showed the NA/R the string. With much attitude, she responded "It was all there when I put it on your cart." I was in a panic. I know there is no possible way I lost the hearing aid, I wasn't even be the cart! I told the NA/R she would need to fill out the missing item report and call the family. She waited until after 9:00, so she couldn't call the family, which means most likely I will have to call tomorrow and get yelled at. I searched resident garbage bags, dirty linens and dirty clothes bags. If the hearing aid isn't found, it looks horrible that it happened twice within 2 months, under my name

[caliotter3]

You now know that you have to keep better watch on your cart and this aide in particular. Tell your aides that they can no longer just leave the hearing aids lying around, they must hand them to you in person. You should have taken that move after the first one got lost.

[ProudLPN10]

It would be a great idea to keep better watch on my med cart, however, I was down one hallway working on my other med cart. The first time it was lost, it was never placed on my cart, it went through the laundry. I am going to have the aides hand me the hearing aid from now on.