Yes. Report the nurse, report the facility. I just went through something similar with my father... a fingernail grew into his palm and he developed a yeast infection earlier in the summer. The primary daytime nurse would skip cleaning it for days at a time, even before the wound and infection, with the excuses of "no time" and "I thought therapy is taking care of it" and "I had the aide check it." The Director of Nursing and ADON at the time put orders for it to be cleaned daily, but didn't monitor it.
There is a new administrator and DON at the facility now. They seemed inclined to continue to allow that... until I went to the assistant administrator and more or less threatened a lawsuit if preventative measures aren't taken, as the facility said they should be. The nurse hasn't been back for days so... I think they caught her, and know what they could face if they don't protect themselves.
In a facility there should be a woundcare nurse. An aide is not qualified to check a wound. There are things a woundcare nurse looks for, like dead tissue. I doubt a aide not medically trained would catch this.
Yes, this must be reported, but it is the home itself that must be reported. Pressure sores are one of the easiest and fastest way to lose your license to give care. They take it very seriously. Have you spoken to management yet? It is the responsibility of the nurse to do a skin check and is one of the most important things to check in care of the elderly. Wounds can QUICKLY become serious (in days) and can move to the bone quickly due to a multitude of factors, most to do with aging of skin and tissue and mobility. That said, "quickly" is the key word here. Skin requires a daily check in debilated, esp in bedridden elders. Sores can quickly go septic. Death can ensue. I am so sorry this happened and hope for good healing but do realize that healing of these is difficult in these circumstance; wound care team should be called in by the MD.
5 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
There is a new administrator and DON at the facility now. They seemed inclined to continue to allow that... until I went to the assistant administrator and more or less threatened a lawsuit if preventative measures aren't taken, as the facility said they should be. The nurse hasn't been back for days so... I think they caught her, and know what they could face if they don't protect themselves.
ADVERTISEMENT
I am so sorry this happened and hope for good healing but do realize that healing of these is difficult in these circumstance; wound care team should be called in by the MD.
The Hospital should have reported the neglect as well.
Did the hospital report them ?