Today at work I noticed that it looked like a nurse didn't use alcohol pads when doing accu checks, but I just thought maybe I seen wrong, so I didn't say nothing, but later on this same nurse went to give a patient a shot, once again no alcohol pads again, but the needle was already bent, of course I said something to her about it and she just tried to act like she didn't hear me and hurried up and jabed the bent needle in the patient causing the patient to scream and cry. When she pulled to needle out it was bent way more then it was when it went it, I once again said something to her, her responce to me was' I'm the nurse, your the aid, mind your own business'. Of course I don't want any problems at work, but it isn't fair to the patient, any suggestions on what I might be able to do?
People can learn something from majority of discussions here. And for each person, it could be different lessons. It can also make them question what they might do in such a situation.
People gave their suggestions. No where is it set in stone that she has to follow any advice here.
Go back and read her post. She was asking for advice on what to do about the situation.
I hope you don't feel I'm trying to argue. I'm not. Only posting my opinion, also.
I'm thru with this. I got a Christmas parade to go see this evening.
Specializes in private duty/home health, med/surg.
I feel it shouldn't be discussed here and advice given to someone to log, document and report everything that nurse does, BECAUSE of the fact that we don't HAVE all the facts.
How many posters start threads about situations where we have "all the facts?" The nature of a bulletin board such as this is that you unfortunately don't get to hear both sides. That doesn't mean that situations can't be discussed and advice shouldn't be given...if that were true, then we'd have very few threads.
The real question is what is the facility's protocol? I have worked in two hospitals where the protocol was NO alcohol before injecting insulin and either hand washing or alcohol before the accucheck.
Yup, we've had the same problem!! I can't remember if the needles are B-D or some other brand. I used to bend needles a lot more often, I've slowed down when capping it now, just to avoid the aggravation of drawing up again!!
In our facility we use alcohol preps, but dry before getting sample; and I'd NEVER use a bent needle on a patient!! Forgetting the possible dangers of doing it, it must be SO uncomfortable for the poor patient! Anway, I agree with RN1976Nurse, it should probably be reported to the charge nurse, let them sort it out!
:)
I have to say I didn't think anyone in the free world was still recapping needles! It was my understanding that safety syringes were manadatory everywhere. May I ask where you are from?
Since you can't change the insulin needle, you have to recap it to carry it into the room where the patient is, or carry a bare needle around. Its still sterile when recapped at this point, so an accidental stick isn't that dangerous (that is the whole reason we don't recap in general isn't it?)
We draw up the insulin next to the fridge where the vials are kept, and have another nurse double check it, then go give the shot, then slide the saftey doohickey up.
I used to enjoy reading and posting here but lately it seems a lot of people want to be "catty". By that I mean that everything has to be dissected and if someone disagrees with you Heaven forbid! Either have the good sense to know that you are not ALWAYS right or don't post. An opinion is an opinion. If someone disagrees with you it is not the end of the world. If someone asks for your advice give it. If someone else disagrees with your opinion it is not the end of the world.
Specializes in Mostly LTC, some acute and some ER,.
I would have said something! That poor patient. I am a CNA too, and I don't like it when anyone tells me to mind my own business (unless its all in humor). I really like to respect my nurses, and have a good report with them, but its hard when I dont get respect back. Fortunantly I only have a bad report with one. I'm really lucky that I get to work with great nurses who are glad when I show interest in what they are doing, and they have that same respect for me . . . They know that I want to be one of them, so their always having me come along to observe treatments.
I have to say I didn't think anyone in the free world was still recapping needles! It was my understanding that safety syringes were manadatory everywhere. May I ask where you are from?
Pat
What JBudd said. I'm obviously not going to walk all the way to a room with a nekked needle, and we no longer have the type of safety that allows you to cover the needle until you're ready to inject. I have to recap, it's not dangerous as it hasn't been in the patient yet. Once I inject, I then slide the safety up, which locks automatically. I actually explained this in post #20. :)
I used to enjoy reading and posting here but lately it seems a lot of people want to be "catty". By that I mean that everything has to be dissected and if someone disagrees with you Heaven forbid! Either have the good sense to know that you are not ALWAYS right or don't post. An opinion is an opinion. If someone disagrees with you it is not the end of the world. If someone asks for your advice give it. If someone else disagrees with your opinion it is not the end of the world. Then again maybe it is just hormonal.
VERY WELL SAID Nurseguy! I echo and applaud you. Maybe some of us could use a little less HRT.
What JBudd said. I'm obviously not going to walk all the way to a room with a nekked needle, and we no longer have the type of safety that allows you to cover the needle until you're ready to inject. I have to recap, it's not dangerous as it hasn't been in the patient yet. Once I inject, I then slide the safety up, which locks automatically. I actually explained this in post #20. :)
Our policy is to never recap, you use 1 needle to draw up the med, take that needle off and replace it with a new one. The rationale is that putting the needle in the bottle dulls the point, which can cause more pain to the pt. It somewhat makes sense, but i'm surprise we haven't heard endless speeches about how much more it costs to do things this way. Not to mention our insulin syringes do not have needles that come off.
Our policy is to never recap, you use 1 needle to draw up the med, take that needle off and replace it with a new one. The rationale is that putting the needle in the bottle dulls the point, which can cause more pain to the pt. It somewhat makes sense, but i'm surprise we haven't heard endless speeches about how much more it costs to do things this way. Not to mention our insulin syringes do not have needles that come off.
I don't understand, do you draw your insulin up at the bedside? If a needle comes off, I always change it after drawing up the med for the reason you stated, I'm not even sure if it's policy, that's just how I was taught. But you mentioned yourself that your insulin needles don't come off, you HAVE to use the same needle. Do you have the needle safety that slides up to cover the needle but can slide back down when you're ready to inject? We used to, but now we have a safety that automatically locks as soon as we slide it up. Or do you just draw the insulin up at the bedside? I suppose I could do this, but it would be very difficult to get a double check if I did it. There's no choice but to recap an insulin needle to get to the patient from the med room. I understand the policy to never recap, and I never do once I've injected the patient.
LPN1974, LPN
879 Posts
Go back and read her post. She was asking for advice on what to do about the situation.
I hope you don't feel I'm trying to argue. I'm not. Only posting my opinion, also.
I'm thru with this. I got a Christmas parade to go see this evening.
You have a good day.