Unreasonable of my HH care company ?

RNewbie · Nov 1, 2012

Your company sounds like they are looking out for their best interest. You have to look out for yours. I would not feel bad if the pts are non emergent.

allnurses Guide · Nov 2, 2012

your company seems to think if they pressure you hard enough you will try harder and somehow beat the odds. Document every call, date and time, and what you did to try to comply. But no, non-emergent care, and no gas to take care of your own needs? You have to take care of yourself in order to be able to care for others.

Blessing and prayers for you {{hug}}

MomRN0913 · Nov 2, 2012

Thanks for making me feel a little better. My boss got nasty with me today and apparently no one else can take her right now. I got 2 gallons of gas I'm using wisely. I tried within reason today to find some but none.I woke up late because I don't have an alarm clock and it took me a long time to fall asleep in the freezing cold. My boss calls and doesn't ask me how I am and simoly says " are you coming in today?". I said " I have 2 gallons of gas". She asks when I planned on telling her. I told her I'm sorry, I just woke up, I have no power, therefore alarm and I conserve my battery and shut off my phone at night. She says ok then and hangs up.***** There was no offers of help. Maybe the company should be smart and call around to gas stations to find out if they can get us on as emergency personel. Nope, it's find your own gas, screw yourself be your family and use it to work.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2012

When patients are admitted to home health nursing services they are usually give a packet of information. Included in this should be several statements and directions on what to do during natural disasters ,power outages and other emergencies. Every agency I have ever worked for has some statement indicating that during any disaster the patient or caregiver is to notify the home health agency of their location and the agency cannot guarantee services during natural disaster but they will try to the best of their abilities and resources.

So YES your manager is is being ridiculous and unfair. Everyone is having huge problems getting any gas and it is plastered all over the news. I know that and I live in California . Are you supposed to have some magic answer to getting gas that the rest of the population cannot seem to figure out,maybe she expects you have a your own personal gas pump! I agree save your gas for your own personnal needs. The patients that need medical care will have to go to the hospital. Everyone is in crisis mode still and all bets are OFF so for your manager to except that things should proceed as normal is so near sighted and that is the kindest thing I can say!

Maybe the company should invest in some hybrid vehicles or all electric cars for emergencies. I know my company has several vehicles if needed.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Nov 2, 2012

As a resident of the hurricane-prone Gulf Coast, I find it hard to believe that any healthcare provider, including HH companies would not have a disaster/emergency plan in effect. It's a fact of life down here - everyone knows you have to be prepared to live 'off the grid' for at least 4 days after a storm so everyone has a mini-stockpile of non-perishable food, water, & other "camping" supplies. After hurricane Ike, it was a week before power was restored to all the gas stations in Houston - my house was without power for 18 days. Like most folks, I had generator(s), but it was challenging to find gas for them. We had to deal with tropical heat rather than freezing temps - I think the cold is much worse.

I agree with PP - your company should have made sure that each patient/family is assisted to develop their own disaster plan to follow in case of emergencies. The one good thing about hurricanes is that you have plenty of warning. This time should have been used to follow up with the patients to ensure that they implemented plans, including procuring any supplies they may need to ride out the storm's after-effects.

BTW, most TX coastal towns have a system in place to make sure that public response systems (PD, FD, etc) have a list of all medically vulnerable citizens who are living on their own (not in facilities). In times of emergencies, they prioritize evacuation &/or assistance for these individuals.

MomRN0913 · Nov 2, 2012

This is what I was very surprised about. It's my first year in HH. So I didn't know how it worked. I figured Friday through Sunday we would be calling all patients to make sure they had a disaster plan in place. None of that happened. They were called Monday morning to we who needed a visit right then. I would have been making sure there was back up o2, enough meds, enough supplies and an evac plan. The pressure right now is getting is to make routine visits for C/P checks!!!! Ahhhh!!!!!!The hospice patients I understand. Some are dying nd don't have electrify but want to stay home. I believe they need visits.Out of the 3 patients I saw on Wednesday, one really needed the visit. I sent him to the hospital and he got admitted ( the family didn't realize a biliary drain draining blood wasn't normal). And they had no power.It's just sad. I don't like my job honestly, but didn't have too much distaste for the company. I never once got asked from my boss how I was, my daughter was or if I had power. Which I don't. I've been freezing my butt off every night and I'm in a cafe now for warmth.I miss my old hospital:(. They may have made us come to work, but if we weren't comfortable to drive, they would send someone. Here is " what do you mean? You don't have your own gas pump?). Arrrggghhh.Ok, I should leave this one alone for now.

MomRN0913 · Nov 2, 2012

....... And now I am getting blasted for not handing in a PT referral? Jesus, it just keeps getting better.

AMN74 · Nov 2, 2012

Lack of preparation on their part, Does NOT constitute and emergency on your part. I have been in home health for 20 years. 10 of those years was coastal nursing. I remember being in the office when I wanted to go home and prepare for the storm myself, but calling each and every one of my patients to make sure they were evacuating, or had enough food, meds, supplies etc. That stuff should all be done BEFORE the storm, because after the storm it is too late... Don't let them get you too upset. It's lack of preparation on Management's part that has gotten you into this situation. Good luck!

echoRNC711, BSN · Nov 3, 2012

I am so sorry you are going through this. I dont know the dynamics of HH nursing but it doesn't seem fair placing the responsibilty on you to come up with gas.I am in NYC some gas stations are honoring our hospital ID by allowing a full tank of gas. Hess stations are saving gas for NYPD.FDNY and hospital staff even though they say there is a "no gas " sign on pumps.

Family first it's that simple. We are on an alert stage 1 again,another storm coming. It may be reactionary because of recent events but you may need that gas yourself. I can see the companies frustration but if their focus is on collecting monies not on true acuity I'm not sure how they can ask you to step to the plate. In emergencies,emergency handled 1st and in order of priority.

Don't allow your bosses lack of planning to become your problem or her frustrations to make you scared.Good luck.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Nov 3, 2012

Sounds to me the company is more worried about their income then the patients, best of luck to you....