turned into the boards what now?

[Buckyxj]

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.

[talaxandra]

It doesn't sound as though that's going to amount to anything, fortunately, but what an unpleasant experience for you to go through. Good luck and thanks for keeping us updated :)

[miko014]

Ugh what a mess!!! I wonder why she panicked and did all that - it doesn't sound like she consulted anyone else before turning you in. You said, "the DON who replaced her" - does that mean she left??? Yikes! How awful! I'm glad everything seems to be working out for you!

For the record, my unit is the dedicated hospice/palliative care unnit in our hospital, so we get most of the DNR pts. They come in a lot for antibiotics and the like. Just because they are dying anyway doesn't mean that you can't treat them for new things. I mean, if they get pneumonia, why shouldn't they have IV atbs if it will make them more comfortable? I guess it all depends on the situation, and the pt's baseline too. I mean, if the person is UAL and A&O, they might really need the treatment. If they are already pretty much unresponsive and/or actively dying, it might be harder on them to make the trip to the hospital.

[leslie :-D]

For the record, my unit is the dedicated hospice/palliative care unnit in our hospital, so we get most of the DNR pts. They come in a lot for antibiotics and the like. Just because they are dying anyway doesn't mean that you can't treat them for new things. I mean, if they get pneumonia, why shouldn't they have IV atbs if it will make them more comfortable? I guess it all depends on the situation, and the pt's baseline too. I mean, if the person is UAL and A&O, they might really need the treatment. If they are already pretty much unresponsive and/or actively dying, it might be harder on them to make the trip to the hospital.

thank you, miko.

ugh...

it is so frustrating when the public doesn't understand treating a hospice pt.

of course if they're in their terminal phase, then tx is ltd.

but many hospice pts have months to live.

no, we wouldn't have a pt go in for surgical repair of a fx'd hip.

but uncomplicated treatments?

for sure.

esp abx r/t uti, pneumonia.

in hospice, we're trying to preserve and enhance a quality of life...

and when it's time, a quality of death.

and whatever it takes, in between.

leslie

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

The biggest thing to take away from this, once it's over, is that NO employer ever has your back. Get yourself a good malpractice insurance policy if you don't have one already.

[Buckyxj]

update: state board called me yesterday and said the case had been dropped because all my documentation was correct. woohoo

[leslie :-D]

update: state board called me yesterday and said the case had been dropped because all my documentation was correct. woohoo

it sounds like this new nurse just lacked the experience in knowing how to handle this situation appropriately.

i'm happy for you, bucky.:)

leslie

[morte, LPN, LVN]

:hpygrp::hpygrp::hpygrp:

[EverNurseRN]

i'm so happy for you that it's all over! those last few months must have been soo stressful! it sounds like you are a good nurse and i'm glad this turned out well for you!