how to report favoritism of one patient over another in nursing home setting?

by Andres Lubowitz 8 min read

Raising a Red Flag: Patient Favoritism - Oncology Nursing …

33 hours ago  · That patient often becomes one of the favorites. Transference. This psychological term describes how past feelings, conflicts, and attitudes can affect present relation­ships, situations, and circumstances. For example, a patient who sees a nurse more as a nurturing mother or father figure can become less independent or even childlike. >> Go To The Portal


How do you report a problem with a nursing home?

Reporting & resolving nursing home problems. If you have a problem at the nursing home, talk to the staff involved. If the problem isn't resolved, ask to talk with one of these: The supervisor. The social worker. The director of nursing. The administrator. Your doctor.

How can nurses avoid divulging patient information to family members?

To avoid inadvertently divulging health information inappropriately, nurses should be familiar with their organization's policies and procedures; some facilities must have written release of information forms or use passwords/other identifying information with family members.

What are the most common nursing home complaints?

“The top complaint across the country, for at least the last five years, has been related to discharge or eviction from the nursing home,” Overall-Laib says. “The reason varies, but often times it’s because facilities are claiming that they can’t meet the resident’s needs any longer, and so they’re trying to transfer them to another nursing home."

Why do nursing homes move residents from one facility to another?

“The reason varies, but often times it’s because facilities are claiming that they can’t meet the resident’s needs any longer, and so they’re trying to transfer them to another nursing home."

What is a boundary violation in nursing?

Boundary violations can result when there is confusion between the needs of the nurse and those of the patient. Such violations are characterized by excessive personal disclosure by the nurse, secrecy or even a reversal of roles.

What is the medical condition favoritism?

Favoritism, which is defined as favoring 1 person or group over others with equal claim, also exists in the medical field, with healthcare providers having favorite patients. Favoritism can be conscious or unconscious behavior.

What are some examples of professional boundaries in nursing?

Examples of crossing professional boundaries may include:Sharing personal or intimate information.Flirting or indiscriminate touching.Keeping secrets with or for patients.Acting as if you are the only one who can care for or understand the patient, positioning yourself as the “super nurse”More items...•

How do you handle a situation when someone is not satisfied with your patient care?

5 Tips for Handling Difficult PatientsListen to the complaint and identify the problem. ... Don't lose control. ... Remind the patient you expect to be treated with respect. ... Empathize with the patient. ... Find a solution.

What are examples of favoritism?

Examples of favoritism include:A person's preference toward one's own racial or economic group in the context of hiring, friendship, or romantic opportunities.A parent's selection of one child over another for whom the parent shows more affection, offers more gifts, or provides fewer punishments.More items...•

Is favoritism a discrimination?

Favoritism as Illegal Discrimination If workplace favoritism is based on protected characteristics, then it is illegal discrimination. For example, if a manager promotes only men or gives the best assignments and shifts to employees who share his religious beliefs, that would be discrimination.

What is a boundary violation?

Boundary violations involve transgressions that are potentially harmful to or exploitative of the patient. They can be either sexual or nonsexual. They are usually repetitive, and the therapist usually discourages any exploration of them.

Which of the following could lead to violation of professional boundaries?

Violations of professional boundaries include getting involved in a patient's personal affairs, buying or selling personal items, and assuming dual relationships that include friendship, romance, or sexual involvement with a patient or a family member. (See Nurse gone astray for an example.)

What are the 7 ethical principles in nursing?

The ethical principles that nurses must adhere to are the principles of justice, beneficence, nonmaleficence, accountability, fidelity, autonomy, and veracity. Justice is fairness. Nurses must be fair when they distribute care, for example, among the patients in the group of patients that they are taking care of.

How do you escalate a concern or complaint of a patient or family?

How to Handle Patient ComplaintsListen to them. As basic as it may sound, this is your first and most important step when dealing with an unhappy patient. ... Acknowledge their feelings. ... Ask questions. ... Explain and take action. ... Conclude. ... Document complaints.

Who would you notify if a family member has a complaint about the nursing care?

Report the situation to a supervisor or the nurse's employer immediately. Then, contact your state BON (or state licensing authority) and file a complaint. If you are unsure whether a nurse has done something that should be reported, contact the state BON for assistance.

What should patient's be told when they have a grievance regarding any part of care provided to them?

When patients have a grievance regarding any part of the care provided to them, they should be told about the process or policy involved in how to file a complaint. A patient is entitled to see their records as well as receive an itemized bill for healthcare services provided.

How to tell your manager you are passing over?

What areas need improvement? Tell him/her you have the perception that your co-workers do not appreciate you ("like" sounds high schoolish) and that you cannot improve unless you identify weaknesses. As the conversation continues, state you got started wondering all this when you realized you had been passed over for a position. Try to sound as if your full intention is to do the right thing, but need encouragement from a more experienced person. If your manager is at all professional you should get some feedback. If you are the crying, blaming type you might not get the truth or you might, and wish you had not.

What to send after a one on one meeting?

A good rule of thumb is to send an email to your manager after a one-on-one meeting, outlining the salient points of discussion. For example:

What happens if NM disagrees with interpretation of meeting?

If the NM disagrees with your interpretation of the meeting, they will have no choice but to either respond to your email or talk to you in person. You are in effect, making them outline specific points as to why you were passed over. You can then respond in another email that addresses the reasons why you were passed over.

What are the requirements for a nursing home?

A Medicare and / or Medicaid-certified nursing home must post the name, address, and phone number of state groups, like these: 1 State Survey Agency 2 State Licensure Office 3 State Ombudsman Program 4 Protection and Advocacy Network 5 Medicaid Fraud Control Unit

What to do if your plan refuses to cover a service?

However, if you have a complaint about a plan's refusal to cover a service, supply, or prescription, you file an appeal. procedure for complaints. If your problem isn't resolved, follow the facility's grievance procedure. You may also want to bring the problem to the resident or family council.

Do nursing homes have to have a grievance?

-certified nursing home must have a. grievance. A complaint about the way your Medicare health plan or Medicare drug plan is giving care.

How to handle grievances in nursing homes?

Should an issue arise, the first step is to take it up with the nursing home, Overall-Laib says. Nursing homes are required to have an official grievance procedure and residents (or their advocates if a resident isn’t able to understand due to cognitive issue, like advanced dementia) should be made aware of the procedure. According to regulations, that response must be put in writing and should be provided in response to a complaint. The matter can be escalated as needed to supervisors and corporate staff.

What percentage of nursing home residents have Gram negative bacteria?

A meta-analysis of previous research published last month in the American Journal of Infection Control determined that 27 percent of nursing home residents are colonized with multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria, which are associated with an increasing proportion of infections among nursing home residents.

What are the concerns of long term care facilities?

Funded by the federal Administration on Aging, NORC provides training, technical assistance and support to ombudsman programs across the country in states and local areas that field complaints about nursing homes. Ombudsman programs also provide consumer support and education, from choosing a nursing home to ensuring a resident receives proper care. “The Older Americans Act requires that every state has an ombudsman program, and they act as advocates for residents in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living ,” Overall-Laib notes.

What is the role of an ombudsman in nursing homes?

Ombudsman programs also provide consumer support and education, from choosing a nursing home to ensuring a resident receives proper care . “The Older Americans Act requires that every state has an ombudsman program, and they act as advocates for residents in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living,” Overall-Laib notes.

How often do nursing homes need inspections?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services contracts with the states to do the on-the-ground inspections. “They are required to do them every nine to 15 months, under federal law – so roughly once a year,” Grant says. With revised regulations, three years’ worth of inspection reports must be made available at nursing homes, she says. Consumers can also access them online by going to Nursing Home Compare on Medicare.gov.

What is the second most common complaint?

The second most common complaint is failure by staff to respond to a resident’s request for assistance – like when the resident would use a call light to request help, Overall-Laib says. The third most common complaint last year related to staff attitudes – “so basically not treating residents with dignity and respect and providing individualized care,” she says.

When looking out for the best interests of a loved one, there is no substitute for visiting them.?

When looking out for the best interests of a loved one, there is no substitute for visiting them. “The No. 1 thing to do is to visit as many times, and at different times, as possible,” says Robyn Grant, director of public policy and advocacy for The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. A national organization advocating for quality of care and quality of life for individuals who are receiving long-term care, Consumer Voice operates NORC. “Vary the time of day that you go in,” she recommends. In addition to daytime visits, visit in the evenings, on weekends and holidays. Because if the facility is understaffed, those are particular times when you will see that, she says.

Why should nurses include the family in their prognosis?

Being open and honest about the prognosis using factual data is also essential, but at the same time, nurses should include the family to educate on pros and cons of treatment and work to inspire hope, encouragement, and positivity.

What is the most problematic aspect of being a nurse?

Nurses are constantly faced with issues that require critical thinking and decision making. One of the most problematic concerns involves ethical dilemmas.

Why are privacy screens important for nurses?

Privacy screens help reduce the visibility of patient charts, and passwords are required to access integrated systems. Nurses must keep patient privacy as one of their top priorities. However, breaches can occur even with the best intentions. One common occurrence involves divulging health information to a family member.

What is ethical dilemma in nursing?

A common ethical dilemma nurses face is when the values and beliefs of the patient differ from the family. For example, a family may ask members of the healthcare team to downplay (or even avoid disclosing) the severity of a diagnosis to avoid burdening the patient.

How to avoid inadvertently divulging health information inappropriately?

To avoid inadvertently divulging health information inappropriately, nurses should be familiar with their organization's policies and procedures; some facilities must have written release of information forms or use passwords/other identifying information with family members.

Why should nurses verbally communicate concerns to their supervisor?

Nurses should verbalize concerns to their supervisor so that assignments can be switched or replacements found. However, when possible, nurses should practice in care areas where they will be less likely to be faced with these dilemmas. Personal beliefs can also affect how nurses approach patient education.

How does HIPAA protect health information?

HIPAA laws protect healthcare consumers from having their personal health information shared inappropriately. Nurses are trained to protect private health information in nursing school and throughout their career by their employer. Healthcare technology is set up to protect privacy as well. Access to electronic health records is granted and monitored. Privacy screens help reduce the visibility of patient charts, and passwords are required to access integrated systems.

Who has access to patient labs?

The patient’s specific labs. The oncoming nurse has access to these details if needed.

Why is handoff important in nursing?

Giving a focused, efficient report is an important communication skill in nursing. Others will respect the care and organization you put in--which can improve your nursing relationships with coworkers. Giving a good report builds trust, ensures continuity of care, and improves patient safety.

Why is it important to hand off patients?

Engaging with a patient and their families during a handoff with an oncoming nurse ensures a safe and effective transfer between shifts. It also gives nurses more time with the patients to answer questions and take care of any needs they may have.

Why don't you give every detail on a patient?

There are some areas you don’t need to give every detail on because they are either not relevant to the admitting diagnosis or something the oncoming nurse can easily look up . Using too much time on one patient will reduce the amount of time you have to give a report on the next patient.

How long does a nurse brain report take?

The amount of time you have for each patient's report depends on where you work and the nurse to patient ratio, but it's usually around 5 minutes per patient. Your Nurse's Brain can function as a nursing handoff report template. If you have kept track of this information using your Nurse’s Brain, it’s easy to quickly transfer ...

What is a nurse's brain?

RECAP: What is a Nurse’s Brain? A Nurse’s Brain, also known as a nursing report sheet, is a term for a sheet of paper that nurses use to capture important patient information and stay organized. It contains sections for key areas like patient history, diagnoses, labs, medications, body systems status, and more.

How long does it take to give a nursing report?

At the end of your nursing shift, you’ll have a short window of time to give a report to the oncoming nurse. During this transfer of responsibility, the oncoming nurse needs to know the most important information about your patients, so it’s your job to give a concise, organized report on each of them. The amount of time you have for each patient's report depends on where you work and the nurse to patient ratio, but it's usually around 5 minutes per patient.