Recently, we had several new policy changes at my current full-time job, which I am leaving in a few weeks. These policy changes were phoned in, ie: no discussion, no meeting, not even a face-to-face convo, just a phone call and a 'this is how it is, starting now'. One of those changes involved closing time. When I hired in, I was told that , even though closing is at a certain hour, we stop allowing patients to sign in a half hour befire, so that we get out at a decent time. Well, that went out the window. Now we have to stay and see people even if they sign in at one minute to closing. This puts the entire staff having to stay late, and then the owners want to garp about overtime.
Another change, due to the now-astronomical overtime costs, was the cutting of hours. We were told in a memo that we should 'just relax and enjoty our time off". Hah. So now, instead of two providers being here at all times, there may be only one for several hours. And then the phone calls come wanting to know what's taking so long.
So, a few days back, after the other provider had come in late and left early, we start getting calls from this woman whose son had managed to get a piece of tackle hung in his leg. Wanted to know if she got there right at closing, would he still be seen. Secretary told her that we would lock the doors at closing, and he would be seen if he was there by then. A few minutes later, OM calls. Seems this woman was a friend of hers and had called HER. OM made the statement to the secretary "Well, Angelfire needs to stay and see them, they're on the way." OM better be glad she didn't say that directly to me.
So, this yahoo shows up at one minute till, and explains that the tackle had been in place for several hours, but they 'tried to get it out at home'. Now I'm really mad. I'm having to stay late, after I'm the only one to work a complete shift that day, all because she couldn't get her rear end in gear. 20 minutes later, we're no further than when they arrived. The tin snips we have won't cut the hook, and the kid won't be still for me to even touch. I offered to numb his leg, but Mom was having none of sticking needles into her precious baby. As we didn't have any EMLA, and as we were having no luck, we called the local ER. They had EMLA, they had cutters. Off went Mama and Junior. I refunded her money, since we couldn't do anything.
Secretary informs me when I walk in that OM has already called and said that Mommie Dearest had called her to say how disappointed and upset she was at the way the visit went. Said that they gave him shots at the hospital and hurt him. OM is not happy and wants us to know.
OM's got about one word to say to me about it and she's going to have more than just an upset friend to worry with, like who's going to cover my days that I have left. I'll leave. I will clock out and my happy little hiney will be out the door before they know what happened. I'll make her think demand that we stay late and then have the gall to snip about something that we did not have the tools to remedy, as well as an unreasonable parent.
I could understand if I had just taken one look and refused to try anything, but I was in the floor of that room for a WHILE. I even (with Mom's permission) sent a pic to my DH, who fishes professionally and has had many a hook in himself, to see if he had any suggestions. I wasn't rude, I wasn't mean, and I did not try to hurt the child.
I'm just so mad I can't see straight and I hate being like that. Would y'all be ill as well, or am I just burnt-out and need a vacation? Thanks in advance for reading my dissertation.
He should have been. That's the issue that we struggle with daily, WE ARE NOT AN ER! But without strident education about what is and is not appropriate to be treated at an urgent care, it'll never get any better.
Old thread, I know...
I don't work ER nor urgent care, but I would think urgent care would be an appropriate place to take someone with a small fishing hook stuck in the skin. No ABC's to worry about, very little pain except when it's touched, etc.
The fact that you tried to treat him and sent him out only when you didn't have the proper tools tells me that you thought urgent care was appropriate for his level of acuity too.
Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.
No, it tells me you didn't read the opening post. I saw him and tried to treat because the OM called and threw her weight around, made us stay late, and DEMANDED that we treat. Never mind that we didn't have proper tools.
I thought it as inappropriate as any case ever was, but the main reason for my upset was her attitude in insisting we stay.
No, it tells me you didn't read the opening post. I saw him and tried to treat because the OM called and threw her weight around, made us stay late, and DEMANDED that we treat. Never mind that we didn't have proper tools.
I thought it as inappropriate as any case ever was, but the main reason was her attitude in insisting we stay.
So sorry this happened to you. So frustrating when management does not support hardworking staff- having to do stuff with squirmy kids (and less-than-helpful parents) and no other staff to help distract/hold is hard enough. Are you still at the place? Did you OM purchase EMLA, a better snipping tool, anything that maybe could have been learned from the situation?
Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.
I'm still PRN at the clinic. To the best of my knowledge, they still don't have any better tools. Morale has tanked and they've had a few leave. Just glad I don't deal with it regularly anymore.
dudette10, MSN, RN
3,530 Posts
Old thread, I know...
I don't work ER nor urgent care, but I would think urgent care would be an appropriate place to take someone with a small fishing hook stuck in the skin. No ABC's to worry about, very little pain except when it's touched, etc.
The fact that you tried to treat him and sent him out only when you didn't have the proper tools tells me that you thought urgent care was appropriate for his level of acuity too.