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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 3733
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 3:48 pm: |     |
We just returned from spending close to the the last 24 hours at the hospital with my dad. Somehow he's still hanging in there... I'm late for something and need to take a quick shower; But, I need to vent and get some feedback. Especially from those in the healthcare type fields - Greenie, Peter, etc...
In a nutshell (I'll post more details later) We know beyond a doubt, one of the nurses who was supposed to be taking care of my father not only neglected him - left him in soiled sheets, refused to do something as simple as wet his lips with a swab, didn't document in his chart his skin was breaking down, reposition him when asked to name a few things we consider neglect; but she PUNCHED him, more then once in his back.
As soon as he saw my sister yesterday morning, he told her about this nurse punching him. My sister brought it to the attention of the other nurses on duty, and told them she did not want this nurse anywhere near our father.
My other sisters and mother had already spoken with the same nurse last weekend over the way she was treating him. It got to the point my Florida sister told her to go away WE will take care of him! After my mom spoke to this nurse last weekend, she seemed to have been treating him better.
None of us were able to get up there Monday or Tuesday. We called several times a day though to check on his condition. So this nurse had two days to mistreat him. When my sister asked why he didn't tell of the other nurses or doctor, he told her he was scared she would punch him more.
When my mom, brother and I arrived later and heard this we were rightfully angry. We reassured my dad this nurse will not come anywhere near him again.
Anyway, when my Florida sister, who works at a hospital in Florida heard this she was beyond livid. She wants to report this nurse to OSHA (?) and whoever license the hospital. She feels this nurse should be fired. Her feeling is if she did it to our father, how many other people who don't have as involved families as ours has she done this to.
My father has nothing but positive things to say about the other nurses. More to add later. My mom and one sister think my Florida sister is over reacting. My brother is ready to rip this nurse's lungs out. My last sister and I don't know what to think.
If this doesn't make sense, sorry. I've been up since 5am Wednesday morning.. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2778
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 3:55 pm: | |
Um, if nothing else, that's assault and it's against the law. Firing this woman would be too good for her. Alert any and all of the proper authorities.
Your dad is perfectly lucid right? There's no chance he's delusional at all about this? |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 1313
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 4:01 pm: | |
Hire a private duty nurse or companion to stay at his bedside when family can't. Other solutions for dealing with an abusive nurse may be right, but may take too much time to implement. Take care of your father now, and try to get the s**t fired later. Might consider making a video of your father's accusuation to use later if you choose to pursue.
(caveat -- I am neither a doctor or a lawyer)
Hang in there
------------------------------------
Article from NYTimes a while back on hiring a private nurse:
Going to the Hospital? Don't Forget to Pack a Nurse
By ALINA TUGEND
Published: September 17, 2005
A FEW years ago, a friend having major surgery was advised to hire a private nurse to be at her bedside in the hospital.
When I heard this, I mentally rolled my eyes. Was this one more example of baby boomer excess - the regular nurses aren't good enough that we need someone at our beck and call 24 hours a day?
But then, a few weeks ago, my sister-in-law in California was hospitalized with double pneumonia. For a few days, her condition worsened. She was not attached to monitors, and at one point, she seemed to go into respiratory failure. Had her sister not been by her side to alert the nurses, she might have died.
When I began checking around, I heard similar tales. Suddenly round-the-clock attendance by a relative, hired nurse or companion seemed not so outrageous.
"When my sister-in-law went in the hospital for an operation a few years ago, I hired a private-duty nurse," said Diana Mason, editor in chief of The American Journal of Nursing. The hospital was "one of St. Louis's finest, but I knew there were some staffing stresses, and I wanted someone to tend to her in the first 24 hours."
Ms. Mason is not alone. Interestingly enough, almost every medical authority I spoke to noted that when a relative was hospitalized, they made sure someone - either a paid professional or a friend with nursing experience - was at the bedside.
But that doesn't mean hiring a nurse is a must. The professionals also say it depends on the nature of the illness, the hospital and its nurse-to-patient ratio.
Although it is hard to find statistics on trends, there is no doubt that people's concerns about nursing shortages over the last decade have prompted more affluent patients to think about hiring their own.
The situation seems to be in flux. The shortage of nurses has deepened every year since 2000, according to the American Nurses Association. But at the same time, over the last few years, studies have demonstrated how dangerous it is to load too many patients onto one nurse.
In 1999, California became the first state to pass a law requiring minimum staffing ratios for hospital nurses. The ratio now is five patients for each nurse, except in critical care units. Eighteen states are considering similar legislation.
"There's a lot of pressure to improve staffing," Ms. Mason said. "Nonetheless, private-duty nursing is alive and well."
When Paula Zingarelli of Boston went into Massachusetts General Hospital three years ago for a gastric bypass operation, she said, "I knew nursing ratios were really bad."
Ms. Zingarelli, 50, had some medical background, having worked as a surgical assistant for a plastic surgeon for many years. She hired a private-duty nurse, which ended up costing her $3,000, to help out and to make sure she got her pain medication on time.
She returned to Mass General for surgery this year to repair complications from the previous operation. This time she decided to wait before hiring a nurse because her sister could help.
"The nurses were extremely attentive," Ms. Zingarelli said. "My meds were given on time. In fact, I wrote a letter commending them."
How can those of us who are not familiar with the medical world know if we need to bring our own? After all, it's not a cheap option, and it's not covered by insurance. A companion who is not medically trained costs about $15 to $22 an hour; a private-duty nurse $35 to $75 an hour.
If you're going in for a planned procedure, rather than an emergency, it's a good idea to ask your doctor's opinion of the hospital's staffing and whether you should consider hiring someone privately. Since most physicians have privileges at more than one hospital, you may have a choice.
All the medical authorities suggested checking whether a hospital is a magnet facility. Magnet status is like a seal of approval, developed by the American Nurses Association to encourage hospitals to develop and maintain good practices, both in patient care and in collecting, maintaining and evaluating data.
To find a magnet hospital in your area, go to ana.org/ancc. Most hospitals have Web sites; sometimes they list nurse-to-patient ratios and other information.
"If not, call a hospital and ask," said Barbara Blakeney, president of the American Nurses Association. "If they are unwilling to divulge that information, then find another hospital."
It's hard to pin down a "good ratio," as it depends on how ill the various patients are on a given floor, as well as how experienced the nurses are. But there should not be more than six or seven patients to one nurse on a floor for those recovering from surgery, Ms. Mason says, and no more than two patients per nurse in an intensive care unit.
It seemed a bit unlikely to me that I would get any satisfactory answers by just calling a hospital out of the blue. So I decided to try it at the hospital where my sister-in-law was treated.
Not identifying myself as a reporter, I simply said I wanted to know about nurse-to-patient ratios on a floor for those recovering from major surgery, and whether they could help me find a private-duty nurse if I decided I needed one.
First the operator transferred me to a voice-mail box. I left a message, but didn't receive a call back.
I tried again later in the day. I was transferred to someone who was very nice, but put me on hold for about 10 minutes; I was then disconnected.
I called back. This time I was transferred to a floor nurse who told me they'd be glad to supply a list of agencies who offered private nurses or companions once I checked in. She also told me that the nurse-to-patient ratio on her floor was one nurse to about every five patients.
A recommendation directly from the hospital is useful, not only because it gives you some idea of where to go, but because it also means the agency will provide nurses who are familiar with the hospital.
And if you're going into a specialty unit, like oncology or cardiology, "make sure they are certified," Ms. Blakeney warned. "Find out what the training and education is in those areas, and whether they have recent experience."
Not everyone wants or requires a highly trained person at their bedside; often the need, especially at night, is simply for what is called a sitter or companion. That person can offer water, help to the bathroom or simple reassurance.
"Let's say, God forbid, Mom slips and cracks her hip," says Louise Weadock, a registered nurse and owner of Access Nursing Services, which provides private-duty nurses and companions to many New York hospitals. "You don't want her to be alone all night long, yet you have kids or a career. For your own peace of mind, you might hire someone."
Not all hospitals welcome outsiders coming onto their floors; it depends on the culture.
"When I did nursing, there was certain resentment," said Jean Whelan, an adjunct professor of nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, who was a practicing nurse for 35 years. "But I loved it at night - it was one less patient to worry about."
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Greeneyes
Citizen
Username: Greeneyes
Post Number: 712
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 4:12 pm: | |
In my humble opinion.
You should report your father's experience in writing to the hospital administrator and charge nurse. Then request a meeting with same. You can find out who the charge nurse is at the nursing station, they can usually give you the administrator's name as wel. If the nurse in question is the charge nurse, you should still write and request the meeting.
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Valley_girl
Citizen
Username: Valley_girl
Post Number: 108
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 4:31 pm: | |
OMG--YES, you should get the nurse fired, and maybe arrested too. Call the head of the hospital, and give them one hour to remove the nurse before you call the police.
Let your Florida sister do it--she'll know who to ask for and what to say. Post the name of the hospital to put added pressure on them. |
stefano
Citizen
Username: Stefano
Post Number: 477
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 4:47 pm: | |
If your brother wants to rip the nurse's lungs out, please make sure he scrubs down and wears surgical gloves.
dr stefano |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 1040
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 4:48 pm: | |
You should call the police. |
CageyD
Citizen
Username: Cageyd
Post Number: 569
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 5:58 pm: | |
Put one of those nanny watch hidden video cameras in the room to document what is going on - otherwise it is his word against hers |
cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 911
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 6:28 pm: | |
Just playing devil's advocate, is your father suffering from any lung or breathing issues that would require external compression of his lungs? I only ask because I have a friend with CF and she has described how her mother has to physically thump her back to clear her airways. To a confused patient, this could seem like being assaulted.
It's always possible that the nurse really is mistreating your dad, in which case, document, talk to the Patient Rep at the hospital and fuss until you get some answers and some satisfaction. There's no excuse for not taking care of his physical needs and it sounds as if that has been his experience with this nurse.
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this now, on top of everything else. |
ken (the other one)
Citizen
Username: Ken
Post Number: 376
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 6:36 pm: | |
I was thinking the same thing. My grandmother was bedridden in the hospital and the therapist would come in and hit her in the back to loosen up the phelm.
I would definitely make a complaint to the hospital. |
heart rn
Citizen
Username: Heart_rn
Post Number: 156
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 8:17 pm: | |
JTA
I agree with everything everyone said. The first thing you need to do is to find the nurse manager, and have a meeting with her. It is true that we do chest physiotherapy on people's backs. The way we do this is to cup our hands and percuss all over the patient's back. This does loosen phlehm. That would probably be the only reason a nurse would be handling a patient in that manner. Hopefully, you will get some answers soon. I don't think you can have her "fired" or if calling the police will do anything. Your best bet is to deal with the nurse manager immediately and demand answers. Good Luck |
CFA
Citizen
Username: Cfa
Post Number: 1556
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 5:51 am: | |
I agree with Cody. 2 of my cousins died from CF and you really have to pound them hard in order to loosen the phlem. |
las
Citizen
Username: Las
Post Number: 870
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 29, 2006 - 10:31 pm: | |
JTA, give us an update.
Lynn |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 3784
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 5:21 am: | |
Sorry about the lack of an update. The past 12 days have been nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster. My poor sister has flown up from Florida twice in this time. Since I posted my father once again seemed to improve, then for the third time took a nose dive. One of my friend's has told me they're afraid to even ask anymore how he is because one day he seems to improve, then the next thing she knows we get another phone call telling us he isn't going to make it.
To respond to the posts.
Yes, 'Me' my father is lucid, for the most part.
At times he is able to talk with us. Sip on shakes, eat jello. At other times (usually after they give him morphine) he'll crash. Or, all of a sudden he'll start to bleed again and his blood pressure goes way down. He isn't a candidate for surgery, so they really can't even figure out why he keeps bleeding. If he was imagining being punched by a nurse, he would be complaining about more then the one nurse. She's the only one he's said this about. Told us she was 'sneaky' and would wait for us to leave. He gets visibly shaken when he hears her voice or sees her walk by his door. This doesn't happen with any of the other nurses.
As of now, he is once again holding his own. The doctors have told us they can't stress enough he is still very critical and not out of the woods. Hopefully he will still be stable when I go up there in a few hours. As soon as he is stable enough my one sister has made arrangements to have him moved to another hospital. Moving him now is not an option, unfortunately.
Some of the things she did the first weekend in front of my sisters - she shoved him and was rude to him; wouldn't remove the soiled sheets (he's only going to soil them again she told them); argued with them about giving him ice. My sister from Florida finally had enough and tossed her out of the room.
My mom who thought the problem was the nurse was small and my father is a 'large man;' wanted to give the nurse the benefit of the doubt. After talking to the nurse my mom feels everything is okay now. I have to agree with her when she says the nurse's attitude did seem to change. (until we left, we later found out)
The 12 hour shifts she was there (and none of us were) she wouldn't give him ice to suck on, wouldn't wet his lips, gave him a hard time when he asked to be repositioned, barely cleaned him etc.
The main thing we have done is to make sure one of us is at the hospital with him at al times. Though we were assured this nurse will not come near him again, my sister says you can never be too sure.
Susan -We thought about private duty nurses, but this is a very small hospital (I heard one of the administrators telling someone they were a 75 bed hospital). The ICU only has 8 beds. It's so in the middle of nowhere they don't even lock some of the treatment rooms with very expensive medical equipment. We decided since we have no problem with any of the other four nurses who have taken care of him, and who all LOVE him, we'd rather not have to put him through getting to know new nurses. We've planned it so one of us is at the hospital around the clock.
About ten years ago while I was in a major NYC hospital we hired around the clock private duty nurses. The floor nurses were pains about it because they had to cover for the private duty nurses when they took their breaks.
The nurse who punched him will be in serious trouble. My mom is afraid to start anything because she is concerned for my father's safety. The one sister thinks we're over reacting. While my brother and Florida sister are fit to be tied. I'm still in the middle, but have done some things to at least raises some concerns with a couple of agencies.
Something I did (before I saw Susan's suggestion) was take a small tape recorder with me when I went up the other day. One of my friends, who had suggested taping him telling us about this nurse advised me to be careful about 'leading questions.' I still feel guilty about upsetting him, but I knew it had to be done. He pretty much repeated the things he had been saying, without any prompting except to ask if she was his nurse for the day. Nobody in my family knows this; luckily they don't read MOL.
Greeneyes - My one sister reported what she was told by my father as soon as he told her to the ICU Charge Nurse, the Nursing Supervisor in the hospital and the Hospital Administrator. When my Florida sister arrived later that night she was livid. First thing the nest morning she went to the Chief of Staff's Office and caused a scene. After I posted on the board and spoke with a friend I asked the hospital to put in my father's chart 'as per the family nurse so and so was not to enter my father's room. I also suggested to my sisters they put in writing a recap of the discussions they had with the hospital staff concerning this nurse and out father to give the Administrator. One couldn't be bothered. The other informed me she had already planned on doing that.
Valley (and Lizzie)- My Florida sister tried to get the nurse fired. Didn't work. The hospital has said this nurse has been there 24 years without a problem. "Yeah," says my Florida sister; "That nurse from NJ had no complaints for how many years and look how many people he KILLED before someone finally caught on!" Ah okay, I say to her, let's not loose our focus here. According to my sister the hospital says they have procedures they need to follow. My mom was adamant about us not involving the police. I know my sister is not taking this lightly and have no doubt even though she flew back to Florida Friday night I have no doubt she is up to something using the connections she has from down there.
Stefano - LOL! When I first heard about this and my father was afraid of what this nurse would do now that we confronted her, I had reinforced what my sister had already told him. I told him if this nurse tried to come anywhere near him, I'd beat her up. My dad's response was the nurse was stronger then me. Well, okay I tell him, I'll have (named the niece who was standing next to me) kick her arsh instead. After all, she's a minor and she can't be arrested. When we repeated this to my brother later, he said it wouldn't matter because he'd rip her lungs out. I forgot to take into consideration we might leave finger prints behind!
Cagey- It's too bad this hospital doesn't have cameras in the ICU rooms on the patients like they do at Saint Barnabas. It wouldn't help now if we brought hidden cameras in because this nurse isn't allowed near him anymore. When I'm there I have a micro recorder in my pocket now. This way, if / when my father starts to talk about it I can tape it.
Codey- No, he isn't having any breathing problems that would require someone punching him with a closed fist. I know what you're describing with the thumping. When I had lung surgery back in 1993 those wonderful Respiratory Therapist came 4-6 times a day to thump in between my shoulder blades. They used the palm of their hands and they would leave bruises from how hard they had to thump. My father was punched on his lower back, arm and leg. My sister thinks this is what caused him to bleed internally last week. One of my friends tells me being punched wouldn't cause internal bleeding though.
Ken, Heart, CFA and las - see above.
Anyway, that's what's going on for now. Thanks for all the suggestions and thoughts. My sister tells me it could be snowing in NY. I hope not. |
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