standards of care

[valeriern]

Help! I am at my wits end. I am witness everyday to what I consider a major break in sterile technique. I have argued, pleaded, whined, documented, researched, all for not. My manager will not mandate a change in this matter and will not allow me to consult with the surgeons who are not aware that this is happening. I am ready to quit my job but know that is not the solution because the patients will still be at risk. Any suggestions?

[twill]

You are right to complain. But do you realize that you can be held accountable if there is a death resulting in infection? Your job as an RN (?) is to advocate for your patient's safety. I'm sure you would scream loudly if it were a family member of yours about to undergo a surgery that you believe to be lacking in complete sterility. You need to document IN WRITING all of your complaints and give a copy to your supervisor with copies forwarded to the director and administration including any solutions you may have for the problem. This will place the burden of responsiblity on them as well because there will be documentation that they are aware of the problem. It won't absolve you of any responsiblity but it will hold others accountable and prove that you did try to do something. If they insist that you continue things status quo ask for it in writing. Also be sure to request written response from your supervisor about what they plan to do to remedy the situation.

It happens everywhere. I've been battling the same issues at my hospital.

[passionate]

Can you fill out an unusual occurance form? Incident form? This goes directly to the Director of Nurses and has to be reviewed. Please, document everyday, even if not officially what you are seeing. Look into who is your institutions Risk Mgr? Those folks take this stuff REAL SERIOUSLY. Good luck--keep us posted.

[Crux1024]

Can you fill out an unusual occurance form? Incident form? This goes directly to the Director of Nurses and has to be reviewed. Please, document everyday, even if not officially what you are seeing. Look into who is your institutions Risk Mgr? Those folks take this stuff REAL SERIOUSLY. Good luck--keep us posted.

Original post is from 1999. I hope shes figured it out by now...lol

[caliotter3]

I wish some of these posters from the past would emerge from the mists of time and tell us what has happened since their original stories. I get curious and would like to know. Like mystery hour, maybe we could have mystery thread time. Only, how do we get these people to come back and post? That is the question.

[HeatherB,CST]

I'm curious to know what the break in sterility was...she said it happpens every day. Something done "the way we've always done it" no doubt.

[passionate]

Doesn't that just drive you crazy when you ask something in all earnest and that is the answer "Well, that's how it has always been done!" sigh.....