the dark side of nursing

[achot]

without going into too many details, yesterday I saw something covered up, the truth is- it was for the best and nothing good could come of documenting the truth, it just bothers me each time I see this happen. No its not the first time...
We could stand on our soap box and scream the truth and that wont really help, in fact it will hurt all sides, so I understand the need to calm the waters.
but it hurts when I know that what was documented (by the doctor) wasn't the truth.
perhaps it was the right thing to do, and the least of all evils, but it hurts
when it stops hurting, I know its time to retire.

[Rivka P]

I don't know if this is something similar, but yesterday, I was sitting at the front desk, talking to the Administrative Quality Assistant and the woman from venipuncture walked by and said to tell the nurse for 19 that she got the blood. Next thing I know, the nurse for 19 comes over and says, "did you guys see venipuncture?" And we said, "yes, she just left and told us to tell you that she got the blood in 19." To which she said, "I was sitting right there, I didn't see her." She went and asked the patient if his blood was drawn and he said it was not. We were very confused about what happened. Was his blood drawn or not? She couldn't have just lied, right? Then that nurse got a call from Pharmacy asking if she was there when the blood was drawn, because it the level looks like this guy was never on heparin (or coumadin, can't remember)
Pretty much, what we think happened is that she just took his label and put it on another tube of blood! We were all appalled, and I hope that "19's nurse" files an event report. I do think she got in touch with the nursing supervisor.

What kind of event are you talking about?

[medic09]

Achot, maybe this is the difference between an 'absolute ethics' (tell the truth at all costs and document it), and a Jewish ethic. We, for instance, seriously debate (meaing: poslkim do) about telling some patients the truth of their diagnosis and prognosis. HaRav Lord Jacobovits was pretty paternal on that. The halacha also talks about 'changing the truth' for the sake of shalom. And, of course, the laws of lashon hara effect how we see speech.

The problem is, everytime we decide (maybe correctly) to stray from the truth, it is a dangerous. The decision itself is dangerous, and it sets a dangerous precedent making us a bit more willing to do it again sometime.

My sympathies. That's a tough situation.

[achot]

Rivka, wow, what a story! thanks for sharing and I hope 19's nurse does speak up. thats horrible. (though, I have to admit, working with geriatric client, with miserable veins and low levels of cooperation, I have been tempted to send my blood instead of a patients....just kidding!!! we do joke about it and ask our patients to go to the supermarket and buy some veins...and I tell them in the future we will be testing blood without the need for needles)

The situation is more similar to that Medic was referring to and I understand that it is sometimes necessary to put a specific spin (without lying) for shalom etc. And it is dangerous precedent making as he points out, and as I wrote, ethically, the right thing was done, but it hurts.
Just sharing the pain- something I cant bring home with me or discuss at work.

Thanks for understanding.