Whistle Blowing In Ltc Bad Bad Idea

[Destinystar]

"he who is without sin cast the first stone". if you complain about a ltc that you work at they have the same right to complain about you. so why complain about a ltc at your expense? just b/c you blow a whistle you will not be granted immunity for any mistakes you may be guilty of. and that is exactly what happens to anyone that complains about a ltc facility while employed. they come to work one day make a mistake and thats it the ltc puts it under a magnifying glass, might even make a formal complaint to your licensing or cna board and your done of course they get statments from witnesses and all that to ad credibility etc. unfortunatly they'll usually get off on your complaint like at the most a citation if that and you will have to live the rest of your life with a bad reference, and an open case for a formal complaint on your cna/lvn/rn license that could very well be substatiated. now your unemployed, attorneys will charge you a great deal to take this very complicated case. and your screwed for life for trying to do the right thing. the biggest favor you can do for yourself if you wind up working in an unsafe ltc is to find a better job. and if you are going to complain, make sure it is after you quit on good terms.

[Blackcat99]

How did you find this out DestinyStar? Were you a whistle-blower at your LTC? What happened to you?

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I am wondering the same question as well?

renerian

[leslie :-D]

sounds very similiar to my situation and yes, it does happen. i was terminated for whistleblowing, although they didn't admit it was for that reason. what i reported got the facility a very serious deficiency. destiny, if you were wrongfully terminated or defamed, you should try to find a lawyer even if it's for a consult....pm me if you want.

leslie

[donmomofnine]

What about making anonymous complaints to the DOH? We have had three unsubstantiated ones in the last year made by a disgruntled employee . I assume that is where it came from due to the terminology of the complaint. They investigated and it was unsubstantiated and, in fact, they said that it was so outlandish that it must have been a disgruntled employee. Nonethless, it would be a great way to blow the whistle on a truly deserving facility, with no recriminations from the employer!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

In Illinois there is a nursing home ombudsman who oversees and independently investigates complaints. Would this be an avenue for you too?

[Blackcat99]

Filing an anonymous complaint or contacting an ombudsman sounds like a good idea. I use to work evenings at an LTC where the 2 night nurses got sick and tired of being so short-staffed every single night. The 2 night nurses called the state several times. Fortunately, those 2 night nurses weren't fired.

They both quit their jobs in disgust. Yes it"s sad when someone does the "right thing" and gets in so much trouble for being a "whistle-blower."