Worried about getting blacklisted if I complain about care - what do you think?

[visionary123]

Okay, I need some advice. First some background: I graduated as an RN with my ADN last year. I had a long-time home care client which kept me adequately employed, and I had a lot of things going on with my family so I didn't actively begin to look for work as an RN until after my client passed away. I have only applied at hospitals since then, and not gotten any calls, so I am planning to start looking into home care again. I am older (49), but I have good references and graduated with honors. I have not been very aggressive because I am only looking for part time work at this time and am planning to go back to college to get my BSN in the fall this year.

Okay, now for my dilemma.

I won't go into the details (unless someone wants them), but basically I just had a situation happen that I would like your opinion on. I brought my 21-year-old into the ED for care on Sunday night because she was ill and rapidly getting worse. She did not get adequate care and was misdiagnosed even though there was heavy evidence of what was wrong (and I told the ER physician she had been very exposed to a highly contagious illness). The ED physician even told me that my daughter was not contagious and that she could go out in public without taking any precautions.

I was very frustrated when I left the ED because I knew that she needed treatment quickly, but then I had to wait until my clinic could get us in the next afternoon. They quickly diagnosed the obvious problem and set things up for me to be able to care for her at home. She is so contagious that they didn't want her in the hospital if it could be helped. She was (and still is) sick enough to warrant hospitalization, but since I am an RN and our clinic can do IV infusions, they wanted to try to have me care for her at home. The delay in proper treatment caused her illness to become more serious and she is now quite ill (but expected to recover). Her own doctor was not happy that the ED did not treat her immediately for what she called 'a textbook case'.

Some people have told me (including a physician and an RN) that I should file a complaint with the hospital and refuse to pay the bill. My husband also wants me to file a complaint. Personally, I am not worried about the bill itself because my daughter has insurance, but I am upset about the way my daughter's case was handled rather nonchalantly. I am especially upset about how ill my daughter is. It is highly likely she would not have gotten this bad if she had been given the proper medication in a timely matter. Also, I think that physician made a foolish error by telling my daughter that she wasn't contagious, didn't have to wear a mask, and could go back to college when she had all the symptoms of the highly contagious illness that she had been exposed to.

I am not interested in getting anyone in trouble, but I would like the ED physician to realize that she potentially put my daughter's health in serious danger, plus could have put the public at risk by insisting that she wasn't contagious. However, I would also like to work at this hospital some day - this is where I've done most of my clinicals and I really enjoyed working on the med-surg floor. Not only that, but all the hospitals and most of the clinics in our area are in this same system and I am afraid that I might get 'blacklisted' if I file a complaint with the hospital. What do you think? I am not talking about whether they should be able to 'blacklist' me or not; I am trying to be realistic - do you think if I make a fuss that it could potentially affect my chance of being hired by them later? I feel like I have a moral dilemma - I want to do the right thing, but I also want a job later!

I don't know if I should file a complaint and potentially risk not being hired to work in this medical system (which is almost the only option in our area besides some LTC facilities)? Or just let it go? Do you think I'm being silly to even worry about it possibly affecting future employment?

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

your adult daughter should file the compliant.

[caliotter3]

This is easy, based on everything I have experienced, either first hand or have come across. If you want to work in that area, do not complain. You can be blacklisted from more than just that system. Believe me when I say that blacklisting is no picnic. Realistically, you won't accomplish anything anyway, so save yourself the heartache. You wrote it out here. Consider that your catharsis and move on to positive endeavors. Hope your daughter has a complete recovery.

[visionary123]

Ginger's Mom,

Funny, I never even thought of that!

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

I would obtain copies of the medical records for that visit so I could see the labs and diagnostics for myself prior to proceeding with any complaint.

[edmia, BSN, RN]

Or your husband could write the letter. But also agree with the fact that your 21 year old is the actual patient and proper complainant.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Take care of your daughter. Don't do anything now while you are feeling emotional; you have enough to deal with now. I like the above comments about having your daughter or husband write a complaint.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Quality issues are protected by HIPAA.

Young snot nosed ER "doctor" needs a come-upance ! She not only mistreated your daughter,she endangered the community.

[iluvgusgus]

I would not pursue it. This is why everyone should get a second opinion! And you were right for doing that. I think you could help more by being a caring,effective, patient advocate for their patients in the future and may be able to prevent errors like this and be entitled to do so, if you complain you may never get that chance. Since no permanent harm came to your daughter, I dont think they would take it seriously because you would not have a lawsuit to pursue.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

I've never worked anywhere that didn't take complaints seriously, and none of them would retaliate, or hold a grudge.

If a complaint, or inquiry, is indicated, then it should be made.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Your adult daughter's complaint is properly filed with her health insurance. If she didn't get proper care, they will be verrrrrrry interested in that. She should not pay any copay or coinsurance until she hears from them about what they are going to do about it, and she should escalate to the next level prn. I would also suggest that she write a letter to the hospital administration to tell them that she is complaining to XYZ insurance about standard of care. She should cc the hospital risk management department, too. Even if no permanent harm comes to her physically, she should be able to get any of her own costs written off; if they are substantial, a brief nastygram from an attorney should make them go away if they don't go away after her initial letters.

And yes, if she is a competent adult and you are not her guardian, you have no standing whatsoever in this matter. Let her do it.

[nursel56]

Ginger's Mom,

Funny, I never even thought of that!

The mama bear instinct runs deep. :-) Hoping for a quick recovery for your daughter and agree it should not be you who files the complaint.