I was working in a nursing home with this older gentleman. My job had me working from 12 hours to straight, 3rd shift into 1st and on sat mornings at the nursing home. Another nurse and I got into it because I pushed the call button to have his diaper changed. I’m a PCA but I was just sitting for that client. The supervisor told me not to change diapers if I’m sitting. So we got into it and it was intense. Later on, right before dinner and right before his family member visitor came. The same nurse and another nurse came in to move him from his wheelchair to his bed. Their backs were facing my side. I was sitting down. The nurse that got into it with me tied my client’s wrist to the bed rail with a thin brown bandage wrap. I had no idea. His visitor came like 5 min later. I was so tired I did not even know until his visitor left. I then had to cut the bandage with my scissors. 3 days go by and the client’s family complained about me tying my client up. I had forgotten all about cutting the bandage as I was burned out. The next day after the complaint was made, I called my supervisor and told him everything and he documented it in his notes. I even went to the nursing home and tried to talk to the supervisor about it but he was not trying to hear my side of the story. The nurses would all gang up on me every time I had a shift there because I wouldn't change his diapers because I was told not to. The family of the client has someone investigating and I don't know if they’re going to call the police or not. I have 2 years of experience as a caregiver and would never do such a thing. I take very good care of my clients and my record is clean. Is there any way I could get in trouble for this? He said she said and no proof? Because there is no proof of me tying him up.
This would almost certainly indicate that you did not tie your patient.
As restraints are now almost always completely illegal, any accusation of such a restraint could lose a facility its license to practice, so this may well go forward.
I would not elaborate about all this tired business. If you are not fit to work it is YOUR obligation to say so. You chose to work. That admission would work against you.
I would simply say IN WRITING:
"I was hired on --/--/-- to be a "sitter" for John Doe. I had been informed that as a 'sitter' I am not allowed to change patients or to function for them in any way EXCEPT to observe and make certain they were safe. The busy CNAs were angry I couldn't change the patient. They apparently restrained my patient when I could not see them, during a routine bed change. I was never aware any restraint had been applied as they covered the patient. I would be happy to take a lie detector test to prove I didn't not restrain a patient".
Do not be wordy about a whole lot. KEEP THIS SIMPLE AND CALM. Put this IN WRITING. SO NOT MENTION TIRED or how many shifts you worked. That is irrelevant and would/could work against you.
So today put this in writing, titled:
To Whom it Concerns
Regarding care of patient John Doe on -/--/--;
And write something similar to the above.
Then leave this be. You may be called to answer in court if this patient was injured. KEEP IT SIMPLE and stick to the facts. You may be called to answer before a board examining this facility for safety and best practices. Answer simply.
If the job of a sitter is only to observe and make sure the patient/client is safe, I'd say a sitter is doing a very poor job of it if they don't realize their patient/client has been tied up.
That's pretty ridiculous. This OP should probably get more training if they didn't even notice the person they're sitting for is tied up.
Either way is there any written job description outlining what the job duties for a sitter are? If you're employed by the facility insist that they provide you with one because it's the right of any employee on any job to be given a written job description and an employment contract.
If you're privately employed by the family then you would have discussed what services they wanted from you before you took the position for the old man. If such is the case, then ask them to write down what they expect from you.
Nurses don't change diapers and haven't for many years. That's aide and PCA work. You do claim to be a PCA. However, it may not be the policy of the care facility to have sitters changing diapers. Find out what the facility's policy is on this and get it on writing.
If it turns out that sitters are not expected to change diapers you could then file a complaint with the Labor Department in your state because certain nurses are creating a hostile work environment for you and making it impossible for you to do your job. Find out in writing what the policy is on sitters and diaper changing.
I think were I this PCA she should agree that both she and the others lying about her took lie detector tests same examiner. Not that THEY are foolproof.
I have to admit, they have some nasty folks in this profession. These are miserable people trying to make problems. I've had cases where I was told one thing by the office supervisor and then family members were demanding things that weren't on the care plan. If you have a good supervisor, they would straighten this out asap! Then I started speaking up and telling them I'm only required to handle what is on the care plan. If any changes are to be made, they should call the office.
Document on your established care plan. If it is not on it, don't perform it.