Stretched to the breaking point

[RunningWithScissors]

Our staffing level last fall was decreased to where when we are full (30 beds) we can only staff with 5 nurses and 2 nursing assistants. Since then, we have had several instances of elderly people falling because the staff members are spread so thin, and when the out of bed alarms go off you just can't get to them in time. In every instance, the nurse and aide have been thrown under the bus for improper care. There is no longer a ward clerk to answer phone, so they ring incessantly. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone else, or is this a regional thing? This is an acute care hospital, medical telemetry/pulmonary floor.

[Hypoxia]

:redpinkhe Old folks need and deserve more respect than this.

What can we do to demand better care for them? A union? The general population demanding better elderly care? More media coverage? They're always looking for a story. Is elderly care not excitng enough to demand any media attention at all? It's just sad the plight of old folks in this country.

I totally agree! I love working in LTC. My goal is to be a geriatric nurse. The elderly definitely deserve way more respect then they get. I work nights right now we have 50 patients almost half have alarms. We have 3 aides and two nurses at night. I know in the day they are always short handed...

[noctanol]

A. Keep a record of the staffing and your assignment on a daily basis.

B. Keep a record of patient falls, etc, and what the staffing was like at the time. Also keep a records of all of your messed breaks, luches, etc., and all conversations with manegement.

C. Write a letter to management and send it registered mail with signature, informing them of the unsafe staffing in your facility and the consequences of it regarding patient falls, etc.

D. Try to get senior organizations involved, like the AARP. They are very politically active, and I would think, as an advocate for the elderly, they would be interested in taking your side in this matter.

You need to get the public involved.

JMHO and my NY $0.02.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Somewhere in the PACNW

Unfortunately whenever you try to get anyone/organization involved, its the nurses who bear all the burden loosing their licenses at times. There is no mandated staffing ratio in LTC's, at the facility i work at we have a bad shortage, when this is brought to management, nothing is usually done. !lerting state is a waste of time for the reason i just stated and in this economy i cant afford to loose my job. Its real sad that this happens to old frail people while the companies rip millions in profits

[Trinitas2010RN]

Let me ask. Could one approach this situation from the view point of violation of patient rights?

I know some people have mention unions and actually for the nursing profession it makes sense in having some rather large regional or national union to protect the nurses (workers) rights. But I think with the Tea-Party sentiment (fear of socialism or collectivization), the still uneasy view of our economic recovery, and with so many states having mega deficits (possibly going into receivership or default in the future). Now might not be the time to push for unions.

But if one can ram the rights of patients (and violations of those rights) down the throats of the public (by repeating and repeating and repeating them over and over.) and the hospitals (and other institutions), then maybe you can make some head way on better staffing in the shorter term. Just my .

[General E. Speaking, RN, RN]

I understand that nobody wants to get fired for being the squeaky wheel and asking for change. However, I worry about nurses who continuously put their license in jeopardy day in and day out working in conditions that they know are unsafe.

It is going to catch up to you.

I'm not trying to sound flip. I understand the job market/economy is bad right now. But, which is better...risking being fired for trying to make your working environment safer or losing your license when you flub up and make a terrible mistake?

[General E. Speaking, RN, RN]

Trying to revive this thread and see how the OP is doing since posting.