South Carolina LPNs Arrested For Not Changing Wound Dressings

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

I have SO many questions about this. 

Don't LPNs work under an RN?

Are these 2 the only nurses that provided care for these pts?

How could one shift of missed dsg changes cause that much harm?

Where was the managers/DON? 

I agree with another poster-arresting nurses for crap like this is not going to help the shortage we have right now. 

[Lynker, LPN]

hppygr8ful said:

When I was in nursing school I was taught to write with a sharpie my first name and date on my dressing change. I still do it twenty years later though many of my co-workers find the practice strange.

Same, every time! Even if it's multiple pain patches!

[Emergent, RN]

I think arrests such as this are a sign that authorities are intervening because Boards of Nursing are falling asleep on the job. Often it takes 6 months for them to start responding following even a significant complaint. The case in Tennessee is a perfect example. The Board of Nursing there deserved to be strongly censured for their lack of action following the death caused by RaDonda Vaught.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

Emergent said:

I think arrests such as this are a sign that authorities are intervening because Boards of Nursing are falling asleep on the job. Often it takes 6 months for them to start responding following even a significant complaint. The case in Tennessee is a perfect example. The Board of Nursing there deserved to be strongly censured for their lack of action following the death caused by RaDonda Vaught.

Since Vanderbilt covered up the death with CMS and the medical examiner I doubt they told the whole truth to the BON.  Then they only learned the truth when a whistle blower anonymously reported the death to medicare CMS.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

Idealista said:

It may be "strange" but it can save your cookies! I put my initials and the date of change, whether a wound or a Fentanyl patch, as a matter of routine. Why not do it, for heaven's sake? It seems that nurses have to defend themselves from everything in the healthcare setting today - from violent and/or litigious patients to corrupt or uncaring management to incompetent co-workers. It takes only a second...and it could save a license.

Sounds like everyone should also take a pic on their cell phone for evidence just in case! SMH 

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

brandy1017 said:

Sounds like everyone should also take a pic on their cell phone for evidence just in case! SMH 

And then we will be in trouble for violating the social media policy...

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

brandy1017 said:

Sounds like everyone should also take a pic on their cell phone for evidence just in case! SMH 

Maybe that's why cell phones aren't allowed in most facilities!

 

[Emergent, RN]

brandy1017 said:

Since Vanderbilt covered up the death with CMS and the medical examiner I doubt they told the whole truth to the BON.  Then they only learned the truth when a whistle blower anonymously reported the death to medicare CMS.

There's another good point. Facilities are primarily interested in covering their own backsides and often don't cooperate with the reporting process.

Additionally, individuals aren't being held accountable anymore. We saw that in the Tennessee case. There was a big cry to say that it was a system failure, when in fact it was the total fault of an individual nurse,  who totally ignored every and any safety measure that has been developed over the last 200 years of Nursing.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

I think there is much more to this than is being said. There may have been a pattern of negligent care that rises to standard for criminal neglect.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Were they arrested at work? If so, did they get a chance to hand off their patient assignment? 

 

 

 

[vintagegal, BSN, DNP, RN]

hppygr8ful said:

When I was in nursing school I was taught to write with a sharpie my first name and date on my dressing change. I still do it twenty years later though many of my co-workers find the practice strange.

I agree this is good practice. However as a nurse manager at ALF the staff actually complained to upper management that I was doing this and the institution told me to knock it off or else. They claimed it was demeaning to the patients- not sure how but my initials and the date were considered demeaning on wound care dressings?!?! Needless to say I left that job. Nit picky staff always trying to get each other in trouble. I can gripe about them or the culture of villainy the institution breeded.... 

[Emergent, RN]

vintagegal said:

I agree this is good practice. However as a nurse manager at ALF the staff actually complained to upper management that I was doing this and the institution told me to knock it off or else. They claimed it was demeaning to the patients- not sure how but my initials and the date were considered demeaning on wound care dressings?!?! Needless to say I left that job. Nit picky staff always trying to get each other in trouble. I can gripe about them or the culture of villainy the institution breeded.... 

Demeaning to the ever more entitled, demanding, thin skinned patient population we encounter in our overfed, over pampered society, that is ready to call a lawyer at the drop of a hat?

That's why I hear medical Mission work is so rewarding to healthcare professionals from the first world. You get to help people who are grateful and thankful.