Published Mar 19, 2008
Buckyxj
78 Posts
I am being turned into the boards for a fall that I didn't start neuro checks even though no head injury or any injury was suspected. later that night she became lethargic at dinner. What should I do from here? I dont have a clue. the patient was a hospice patient I called and notified them and they decided that they should send her to the hospital.
Ms.RN
917 Posts
i am being turned into the boards for a fall that i didn't start neuro checks even though no head injury or any injury was suspected. later that night she became lethargic at dinner. what should i do from here? i dont have a clue. the patient was a hospice patient i called and notified them and they decided that they should send her to the hospital.
i'm sorry this has happened to you. i dont understand why they are sending a hospice patient to the hospital. i had a hospice patient who fell and fractured his hip but the hospice wanted to keep him comfortable. i think your employer is being little too harsh on you by turning you to the board. i think they were trying to protect themselves from a lawsuit by making you responsible. i would probably contact a lawyer who specializes in medical lawsuit and i would think twice about working there cause they are nasty. hugs to you..:icon_hug::icon_hug::icon_hug::icon_hug::icon_hug::icon_hug::icon_hug::icon_hug::icon_hug::icon_hug::icon_hug::icon_hug::icon_hug:
TX_ICU_RN
121 Posts
I am so sorry this has happened to you. I would try and find a lawyer who is also a RN. Much of the time, the majority of their practice is r/t defending nurses against the BON.
floatRN
138 Posts
Definitely find a lawyer. And if you have your own malpractice insurance, you should contact them. It doesn't sound like you did anything wrong though. Good luck.
CHATSDALE
4,177 Posts
get a lawyer asap, your license is an absolute necessity for yo to work, and you also need to have as clean a record
write down everything that happen, then go over it later to make sure that you have included everything that you want
what was the result of hospital admission
consider all falls a head injury unless they are witnessed, a head injury may take several hours to manifest itself so close observation is protocal
medsurgrnco, BSN, RN
539 Posts
Call the Association of RN Attorneys (877-538-2262) to find an attorney in your local area and call them for advice. Was there any fall protocol stating you should do neuro checks on a hospice patient? Did you ask any other RNs for advice on actions to take after the fall? Collect any documentation you can to support your actions after the fall. Write up documentation on everything you can remember immediately - before you start forgetting details.
alright talked to the DON at the LTC facility and she turned me in for lack of documentation.
leslie :-D
11,191 Posts
well, we know who's trying to cover their behind.
with the BON, it's a waiting game...especially since it is low priority.
i didn't know a nurse could be fined for lack of documentation...
i wouldn't be surprised if the BON dismisses the charges.
but still, find yoursel a nurse attorney.
and write down everything now!
as someone else mentioned, it is likely you will forget some details.
and of course, from hereonin, you know to document, document and document.
wishing you the best.
leslie
ktwlpn, LPN
3,844 Posts
What is your policy and procedure regarding falls? Did you violate it? If there was no sign of a head injury it seems reasonable not to initiate neuro checks.But-did you follow the protocol for a fall? Was there a negative outcome for the resident?
Have you had other problems in this facility? Is there more to your story? It does not make sense. Also- we OFTEN send our "comfort care" patients out-no matter how well we educate families some just don't get it..
family was at facility with patient shortly after she went lethargic, family member is RN for Hospice of patient. She was on the same line of thinking as I was. the facility said state was there last week and got them for their charting so maybe making an example of me. im not really sure yet. hopefully everything turns out ok.
It's really hard to give you advice without more details. What documentation did they think was lacking? Did you document the fall and the actions you took with your reasoning for not doing neuro checks, etc?
finally got more info on this. The reason she turned me in was due to "sending pt. via private vehicle to the hospital er with a possible head injury. the paperwork she sent to accompany her statement said pt was sent via ems on backboard with c-collar on. so she contradicted herself. there was no mention of the neuro checks at all. the ADON, new DON who replaced her and the Administrator all sent statements saying that it should have never been reported and she was a new nurse in a supervisory position and didn't know the proper action to take. I have to go talk to someone at the state next month. hopefully everything turns out ok. I dont think I will lose my license. they found all my vitals and assessments and resent them to the state and they said neuros were not warrented.