When you come out of a meeting and want to scream, it's not always good.
When people come to a meeting with an agenda on their yearly visit, it's always interesting. Either, I'm getting better at it, or the inspectors are becoming more transparent.
Needless to say, when they complain about things that are absolutely crazy, my lack of poker face showed.
So glad MY boss wasn't there at that meeting.
More to come.
Showing posts with label complaints. Show all posts
Showing posts with label complaints. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Ah, memories!
I was reading online and found a link to these NCLEX questions. The scenarios are the "what would you do" management ones. I love those.
For fun I decided to read them, and see how they'd be answered at the Hotel. The selected questions are located at this link: http://www.rnpedia.com/practice-exams/nclex-exam/nclex-practice-exam-management-care
Here's what would happen (or has happened) at the Hotel for the ones I selected. See if your place of employment is the same.
Remember nursing students: you have to answer as if you work at NCLEX Hospital, not at the Hotel or your current hospital. Your mileage may vary, but you'll get the answer right.
1. RE: substance abuse/unfit to work We've had our share of people who shouldn't come to work for a number of reasons. Frankly, I'm all about sending them home if they don't need to be there. Unfortunately, some of my coworkers, do not feel the same way, and contribute to everyone else doing double work so someone else isn't "found out".
Can you say "dysfunctional family"? I knew you could.
7. RE: abuse complaints. Please, please, please don't call the police FIRST, young'uns. I've seen this one in person and the manager ended up leaving and one of our students was basically run off the unit, because he/she did not use common sense.
Assess, mitigate, and notify your chain of command first.
8. RE: dates and patients. Yes, I do tell them it's inappropriate to ask me, a married woman, out on a date, psych or not. I'm here doing a job, which does not include interviewing the next Bachelor/Bachelorette candidates.
9. RE: client calling out asking for help all the time. This is great information, but good luck implementing it, if you don't have a cooperative crew. I remember many a night when some of my evening characters constantly badgered me (and often the rest of the staff) no matter what I told them.
Just remember: dementia and sundowner folks will keep you hopping on evening shift, kids. Don't forget: evenings do get quiet and dark, and that's when things like to fall apart.
11. RE: the surgeon and the chart. Remember: just say no. If he's on your facility medical provider list, he can look for himself. If he chooses to do so (which violates hospital policy in a great many places), it will be logged and he'll have some 'splainin' to do as Ricky Ricardo used to say.
15. RE: visiting hours. Here again, is another example of using common sense. If your family is quiet, calm and respectful, it makes this easier. Model it and they'll do it, too.
Don't be a Nurse Ratched. Taking care of the patient and his/her family (and well-being) really IS your job, no matter when visiting hours are.
For fun I decided to read them, and see how they'd be answered at the Hotel. The selected questions are located at this link: http://www.rnpedia.com/practice-exams/nclex-exam/nclex-practice-exam-management-care
Here's what would happen (or has happened) at the Hotel for the ones I selected. See if your place of employment is the same.
Remember nursing students: you have to answer as if you work at NCLEX Hospital, not at the Hotel or your current hospital. Your mileage may vary, but you'll get the answer right.
1. RE: substance abuse/unfit to work We've had our share of people who shouldn't come to work for a number of reasons. Frankly, I'm all about sending them home if they don't need to be there. Unfortunately, some of my coworkers, do not feel the same way, and contribute to everyone else doing double work so someone else isn't "found out".
Can you say "dysfunctional family"? I knew you could.
7. RE: abuse complaints. Please, please, please don't call the police FIRST, young'uns. I've seen this one in person and the manager ended up leaving and one of our students was basically run off the unit, because he/she did not use common sense.
Assess, mitigate, and notify your chain of command first.
8. RE: dates and patients. Yes, I do tell them it's inappropriate to ask me, a married woman, out on a date, psych or not. I'm here doing a job, which does not include interviewing the next Bachelor/Bachelorette candidates.
9. RE: client calling out asking for help all the time. This is great information, but good luck implementing it, if you don't have a cooperative crew. I remember many a night when some of my evening characters constantly badgered me (and often the rest of the staff) no matter what I told them.
Just remember: dementia and sundowner folks will keep you hopping on evening shift, kids. Don't forget: evenings do get quiet and dark, and that's when things like to fall apart.
11. RE: the surgeon and the chart. Remember: just say no. If he's on your facility medical provider list, he can look for himself. If he chooses to do so (which violates hospital policy in a great many places), it will be logged and he'll have some 'splainin' to do as Ricky Ricardo used to say.
15. RE: visiting hours. Here again, is another example of using common sense. If your family is quiet, calm and respectful, it makes this easier. Model it and they'll do it, too.
Don't be a Nurse Ratched. Taking care of the patient and his/her family (and well-being) really IS your job, no matter when visiting hours are.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
I was tempted
To do what this person did. Bubba was driving me nuts.
Pre-teens can be a handful in more ways than you think. Going to the mall and not being able to sell back your old game system really IS upsetting, but it just reflects the concepts of economics: supply and demand.
No demand for your game console (actually oversupply) means they won't buy yours back.
Whine, cry all you want, you need to think of something else.
That is all.
Pre-teens can be a handful in more ways than you think. Going to the mall and not being able to sell back your old game system really IS upsetting, but it just reflects the concepts of economics: supply and demand.
No demand for your game console (actually oversupply) means they won't buy yours back.
Whine, cry all you want, you need to think of something else.
That is all.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Sometimes, we're cutting edge...
And sometimes, we're a little behind.
The cutting edge part: I work in the SU and we have the latest and greatest technology for dealing with rehab patients (and lots of other patients, too.)
The behind part: it's very telling, when your hospital finally gets the hint that this has been a Joint Commission recommendation since 2009.
We've had a few other changes happening, which just adds to the mix.
Why? Because people are starting to complain. And morale is low.
At least, we had some fun today, brightening up the area under construction. It was a blast for the patients, and for me, too.
TGIF all! Enjoy your moments wherever you are. I will!
The cutting edge part: I work in the SU and we have the latest and greatest technology for dealing with rehab patients (and lots of other patients, too.)
The behind part: it's very telling, when your hospital finally gets the hint that this has been a Joint Commission recommendation since 2009.
We've had a few other changes happening, which just adds to the mix.
Why? Because people are starting to complain. And morale is low.
At least, we had some fun today, brightening up the area under construction. It was a blast for the patients, and for me, too.
TGIF all! Enjoy your moments wherever you are. I will!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Complaint department
I'm near a busy spot in the Hotel, not far from the lobby, so I hear a lot of the comings and goings among the staff, patients and visitors. Here are a few of the more memorable ones.
The employees complain about complaint procedures. Fill out this form in this many days and wait.
The patients complain about the food. While our food wasn't quite as scary looking as this, the dietitian tries. You just never know what that kitchen staff will do.
The visitors complain about the parking, the signs, the lack of wheelchairs in the lobby. One of our housekeepers remarked that he heard patients took our wheelchairs home. "Of course," I said, "Do you know that's why they don't have those folding wheelchairs at Saintarama and other big hospitals."
Tomorrow, I'm getting a sign like this. I'm sure someone will complain.
The employees complain about complaint procedures. Fill out this form in this many days and wait.
The patients complain about the food. While our food wasn't quite as scary looking as this, the dietitian tries. You just never know what that kitchen staff will do.
The visitors complain about the parking, the signs, the lack of wheelchairs in the lobby. One of our housekeepers remarked that he heard patients took our wheelchairs home. "Of course," I said, "Do you know that's why they don't have those folding wheelchairs at Saintarama and other big hospitals."
Tomorrow, I'm getting a sign like this. I'm sure someone will complain.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Complaints of the Day
Oh, you know it's exciting when lots of people have the same complaints. When the unit wasn't busy preparing for severe storms passing through, we've always got complaints. Here are the latest.
Of our 20 something people, at least 1/4 were complaining of itching last night. We lotioned, powdered and loaded up the Benadryl on all of them. Gotta love Benadryl...it keeps them quiet! No, we do not issue back scratchers. Maybe at those spa rehabs you've been to before, but not here, no sir!
Another favorite complaint: heat. Our unit is just not the place to be if you want actual climate control. We're the poster children for global warming, especially if you consider all the toxic fumes emitted during bowel programs.
And if specific complaints weren't enough, we had people complaining just so they could complain. Can you tell the full moon is coming soon? No...can't be!
Stay tuned...more complaints to come!
Of our 20 something people, at least 1/4 were complaining of itching last night. We lotioned, powdered and loaded up the Benadryl on all of them. Gotta love Benadryl...it keeps them quiet! No, we do not issue back scratchers. Maybe at those spa rehabs you've been to before, but not here, no sir!
Another favorite complaint: heat. Our unit is just not the place to be if you want actual climate control. We're the poster children for global warming, especially if you consider all the toxic fumes emitted during bowel programs.
And if specific complaints weren't enough, we had people complaining just so they could complain. Can you tell the full moon is coming soon? No...can't be!
Stay tuned...more complaints to come!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The start of something big
Yes, the big ol' week, that is. Thankfully, it's been more entertaining than irritating so far.
It's always nice to come back after a vacation of any sort. I was discussing this with one of my coworkers today and she mentioned it was the first time in months that she would be off a week. I told her my last vacation (of about the same length) was just wonderful. The freedoms of waking up when you want and doing things that need to be done when you want is incredible.
The unit's getting more occupants this week. Some are regular suspects, such as the drug addict who's always got problems with his teeth. This time, he just added a couple more problems and most of them were courtesy of non-specialty physicians in his neck of the woods out-of-state. We could have saved him some time and trouble admitting him earlier, but when he's such a handful, no one really wants him back.
We also got a VIP...or at least this patient thinks he/she's one. I'm so happy I got to admit the other character. I was so upset I didn't hear tons of complaints about how "backward" the unit is, either, among the litany of shortcomings said person regaled the admitting nurse over two hours. My response: Hello, please tell someone who can do something about it! We're still waiting for Santa Claus to remodel and get us all the goodies and toys, like wireless internet access, that you're looking for in your accomodation. Besides, you'll only be here a couple of days, so why not just go a couple of miles that way and stay in a hotel with the person who brought you if it's so rotten here? Yes, I'm thinking all of this, as I put on my best, fake, customer service smile, and thanking my lucky stars that those mind-reading things are not on the market right now!
The Slug came back, with somewhat of a Jekyll and Hyde personality going on...one minute, nice, one minute her usual pain in the arse self. Not sure why...but still happy from vacation, so I don't care. One of our new nurses, who's been around the block, had fun teasing her, so we just enjoyed ourselves. This nurse is a breath of fresh air and has been a nurse for a long time. She came to us because of local downsizing, and we're happy we could get her. She doesn't wear a cape, but she does have the skills to do a super job.
Happily, the day rolled along and I actually got out on time. All paperwork complete, people fluffed and buffed and everything done as ordered. Now I get my requisite days to prepare for my long stretch ahead...the something big called working the entire weekend.
Stay tuned...more to come.
It's always nice to come back after a vacation of any sort. I was discussing this with one of my coworkers today and she mentioned it was the first time in months that she would be off a week. I told her my last vacation (of about the same length) was just wonderful. The freedoms of waking up when you want and doing things that need to be done when you want is incredible.
The unit's getting more occupants this week. Some are regular suspects, such as the drug addict who's always got problems with his teeth. This time, he just added a couple more problems and most of them were courtesy of non-specialty physicians in his neck of the woods out-of-state. We could have saved him some time and trouble admitting him earlier, but when he's such a handful, no one really wants him back.
We also got a VIP...or at least this patient thinks he/she's one. I'm so happy I got to admit the other character. I was so upset I didn't hear tons of complaints about how "backward" the unit is, either, among the litany of shortcomings said person regaled the admitting nurse over two hours. My response: Hello, please tell someone who can do something about it! We're still waiting for Santa Claus to remodel and get us all the goodies and toys, like wireless internet access, that you're looking for in your accomodation. Besides, you'll only be here a couple of days, so why not just go a couple of miles that way and stay in a hotel with the person who brought you if it's so rotten here? Yes, I'm thinking all of this, as I put on my best, fake, customer service smile, and thanking my lucky stars that those mind-reading things are not on the market right now!
The Slug came back, with somewhat of a Jekyll and Hyde personality going on...one minute, nice, one minute her usual pain in the arse self. Not sure why...but still happy from vacation, so I don't care. One of our new nurses, who's been around the block, had fun teasing her, so we just enjoyed ourselves. This nurse is a breath of fresh air and has been a nurse for a long time. She came to us because of local downsizing, and we're happy we could get her. She doesn't wear a cape, but she does have the skills to do a super job.
Happily, the day rolled along and I actually got out on time. All paperwork complete, people fluffed and buffed and everything done as ordered. Now I get my requisite days to prepare for my long stretch ahead...the something big called working the entire weekend.
Stay tuned...more to come.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Nuggets for July 22
Yes, it's back on its regular day. It's gonna be a long post with all the interesting stuff out there, so sit back and enjoy yourself or read in bits if you're working.
I'm really enjoying the heck out of this vacation so in between housework, networking and shopping (the other important "work"), I've been surfing away. Please enjoy as you see fit in your neck of the woods.
The nursing shortage
It's incredible how there is a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde thing on reporting on the nursing employment. One minute it's dire, the next minute, wonderful, since all those nurses contemplating retirement are staying. I'm just going to chalk it up to American business and the "short term syndrome". Basically, if it's not a problem now, it won't be later, even if demographic trends suggest otherwise.
I'm also crossing my fingers that I don't break my hip in the next 10-20 years, since I'll have to be my own rehab nurse the way things are going.
ACP internist (MD) weighs in on this topic and the glut of nurses.
Kathy Quan (RN) presents the other side: shortage.
Health news of note
Here are a few stories I found very interesting in the health arena. Somebody needs to take me to Greece to complete the one study, though. A long, faraway vacation would be very nice, thank you!
Sex and sleep are just as important as antioxidants (from the 360 blog at www.cnn.com)
This study about people on a Greek island was pretty hopeful in the long-term view.
Want to know if your health habits are making you younger or older? Check out the Longevity Calculator.
Disclosure: I do take an extra vitamin and mineral, but I don't traditionally recommend these as treatments to my patients. This article called Docs and nurses use and recommend diet supplements from www.reuters.com was interesting because it discusses how most doctors and nurses had little education in supplement use.
From the NY Times
This article from the NY Times shows Vets' Mental Health Diagnoses Rising among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
Cases-Our Scars Tell the Stories of our Lives made me think about how I look at scars on my patients.
Etc.
Yes, they're released annually, and Madison didn't even make it in as an honorable mention, although some of our system hospitals did show up....way down the list. The US News and Report of America's Best Hospitals even has a couple not far away, if I do need one for specialty care.
Our friends in Canada put a great story in The Globe and Mail recently: Pop culture gives way to peep culture.
Fun!
And last, but not least, who's not going to have fun on vacation? Well, I surely am, and from the looks of some of these goodies, even people at work are having fun and entertaining others, wittingly or unwittingly.
Lost on the Floor just moved, but he is finding some fun in Chart Bloopers.
Braden and many of the ER nurses are always finding great patient complaints. Here's one of his latest patient reasons for visits to the ER at 20 out of 10.
Ahoy! Yes, I'm married to an escaped sailor, so I'm just going to have to order one of these nursey things for my locker, because somedays, I'd really like to raise the Jolly Roger when storming the poop deck on evenings.
I'm really enjoying the heck out of this vacation so in between housework, networking and shopping (the other important "work"), I've been surfing away. Please enjoy as you see fit in your neck of the woods.
The nursing shortage
It's incredible how there is a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde thing on reporting on the nursing employment. One minute it's dire, the next minute, wonderful, since all those nurses contemplating retirement are staying. I'm just going to chalk it up to American business and the "short term syndrome". Basically, if it's not a problem now, it won't be later, even if demographic trends suggest otherwise.
I'm also crossing my fingers that I don't break my hip in the next 10-20 years, since I'll have to be my own rehab nurse the way things are going.
ACP internist (MD) weighs in on this topic and the glut of nurses.
Kathy Quan (RN) presents the other side: shortage.
Health news of note
Here are a few stories I found very interesting in the health arena. Somebody needs to take me to Greece to complete the one study, though. A long, faraway vacation would be very nice, thank you!
Sex and sleep are just as important as antioxidants (from the 360 blog at www.cnn.com)
This study about people on a Greek island was pretty hopeful in the long-term view.
Want to know if your health habits are making you younger or older? Check out the Longevity Calculator.
Disclosure: I do take an extra vitamin and mineral, but I don't traditionally recommend these as treatments to my patients. This article called Docs and nurses use and recommend diet supplements from www.reuters.com was interesting because it discusses how most doctors and nurses had little education in supplement use.
From the NY Times
This article from the NY Times shows Vets' Mental Health Diagnoses Rising among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
Cases-Our Scars Tell the Stories of our Lives made me think about how I look at scars on my patients.
Etc.
Yes, they're released annually, and Madison didn't even make it in as an honorable mention, although some of our system hospitals did show up....way down the list. The US News and Report of America's Best Hospitals even has a couple not far away, if I do need one for specialty care.
Our friends in Canada put a great story in The Globe and Mail recently: Pop culture gives way to peep culture.
Fun!
And last, but not least, who's not going to have fun on vacation? Well, I surely am, and from the looks of some of these goodies, even people at work are having fun and entertaining others, wittingly or unwittingly.
Lost on the Floor just moved, but he is finding some fun in Chart Bloopers.
Braden and many of the ER nurses are always finding great patient complaints. Here's one of his latest patient reasons for visits to the ER at 20 out of 10.
Ahoy! Yes, I'm married to an escaped sailor, so I'm just going to have to order one of these nursey things for my locker, because somedays, I'd really like to raise the Jolly Roger when storming the poop deck on evenings.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
I don't want to clean...
The house really needs it, though. Yesterday was the crazy day (with a capital C) of the week and I'm so happy I'm off today and tomorrow.
Here are a few snippets of my Friday.
1. Get Mr. Colo ready for his close-up (yes, the colonoscopy was yesterday). Mr. Colo gets taken to the test only to find out one of his labs are out of whack and they won't do it.
What does he win, Pat? Well, I saved Mr. Colo some pizza from the Marine luncheon today, but I told the charge nurse to give it to someone else, since Mr. Colo will be on a liquid diet until they can try again Monday (assuming his numbers are better).Yuck!
2. Boss says I need to show one of the new nurses how I pass meds. Yes, I had the med cart again and the new nurse got my general AM rundown of how I do things (print a sheet, highlight, talk to people, etc.) At 1130, I ask new nurse to help me pass the pills. New nurse says I'll be right there. New nurse doesn't show up for 15 minutes. This nurse is behind with pills and perturbed. New nurse complains to another new nurse (we have a few right now) about not being compensated for previous degree. This nurse quashes urge to strangle New Nurse or run over with med cart.
3. The Slug, sitting on her derriere as usual, reminds me that I didn't update ALL of my PRN docs for the PRN pills yesterday. Literally, out of her mouth (in front of New Nurse, of course), "You had a lot left over last night, so you better fix that." (She followed me on the evening shift--working--or slacking--another double) Reality: I left exactly two, for two meds given within 15 minutes of the end of shift. It didn't help that I was busy and the regs say we should do them at 30 minutes AFTER the drugs are given.
and the topper....
4. While all of this was going on, I get a call from School Nurse that Bubba has a "contagious disease" and must be picked up immediately. Yes, as I'm passing the pills and halfway down the hall. Bubba apparently got itchy at lunch time and someone saw him scratching and reported him to the nurse.
Thankfully, Dahey was available to go get Bubba from school. Bubba has a rash on his leg that I have been treating (with a doctor's advice and good ol' Lotrimin for several days) that is apparently a reportable (only in our school district) that requires a note stating he's been on meds for 24 hours before returning to school. We didn't know about the note part, so that was a blast, considering that we didn't notice it on him until he returned from school one day last week.
Bubba has his note, still itches a little and had a great half a day with dad. He'll be back to school on Monday.
Needless to say, I was so happy to go home at 1600. More later...I'm really going to clean now!
Here are a few snippets of my Friday.
1. Get Mr. Colo ready for his close-up (yes, the colonoscopy was yesterday). Mr. Colo gets taken to the test only to find out one of his labs are out of whack and they won't do it.
What does he win, Pat? Well, I saved Mr. Colo some pizza from the Marine luncheon today, but I told the charge nurse to give it to someone else, since Mr. Colo will be on a liquid diet until they can try again Monday (assuming his numbers are better).Yuck!
2. Boss says I need to show one of the new nurses how I pass meds. Yes, I had the med cart again and the new nurse got my general AM rundown of how I do things (print a sheet, highlight, talk to people, etc.) At 1130, I ask new nurse to help me pass the pills. New nurse says I'll be right there. New nurse doesn't show up for 15 minutes. This nurse is behind with pills and perturbed. New nurse complains to another new nurse (we have a few right now) about not being compensated for previous degree. This nurse quashes urge to strangle New Nurse or run over with med cart.
3. The Slug, sitting on her derriere as usual, reminds me that I didn't update ALL of my PRN docs for the PRN pills yesterday. Literally, out of her mouth (in front of New Nurse, of course), "You had a lot left over last night, so you better fix that." (She followed me on the evening shift--working--or slacking--another double) Reality: I left exactly two, for two meds given within 15 minutes of the end of shift. It didn't help that I was busy and the regs say we should do them at 30 minutes AFTER the drugs are given.
and the topper....
4. While all of this was going on, I get a call from School Nurse that Bubba has a "contagious disease" and must be picked up immediately. Yes, as I'm passing the pills and halfway down the hall. Bubba apparently got itchy at lunch time and someone saw him scratching and reported him to the nurse.
Thankfully, Dahey was available to go get Bubba from school. Bubba has a rash on his leg that I have been treating (with a doctor's advice and good ol' Lotrimin for several days) that is apparently a reportable (only in our school district) that requires a note stating he's been on meds for 24 hours before returning to school. We didn't know about the note part, so that was a blast, considering that we didn't notice it on him until he returned from school one day last week.
Bubba has his note, still itches a little and had a great half a day with dad. He'll be back to school on Monday.
Needless to say, I was so happy to go home at 1600. More later...I'm really going to clean now!
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