Healthcare Laws | All CNAs

Side Rail Silliness

Sep06

1

Side Rail Silliness

Posted by Patricia Ramsey, RN on Sep 6, 2014

Side Rail Silliness

Side rails must be used to promote safety. Right? I mean, everyone knows this is true. Ask anyone on the street. We have seen it in movies and on TV. Many nurses will even tell you that side rails are essential and should always be used. The simple fact is that side rails are considered a restraint. “What?” you may ask. Let me explain. When you have a child and you don’t want them running around unattended, where do you put them? In a crib or a playpen. This is designed to keep them in a confined area – usually against their will. In a clinical setting, if you have a patient you don’t want moving around unattended, putting up the side rails can help keep them in bed. Usually against their will. The difference here? Nothing…well except that the patient is an adult with the right of self-determination and independence. Putting the side rails up to keep a patient in bed interferes with the patient’s rights and is considered a restraint. Let’s put this in perspective for you. At your home, you can get up and walk around anywhere and anytime you choose. Want to go to the bathroom? Get a drink? Grab the remote? All allowed. At any time. Midnight snack? Sure! No one is standing there saying, “No, you can’t” or “It’s not safe” or “You might fall”. No matter your physical ability or current mental state, you can determine the actions that you think are appropriate for yourself and choose to take those actions because you are the one that will suffer the consequences. Now, take that same person (you) and put them inside a medical establishment and all of a sudden OTHER people want to determine what you can and cannot do. Most people will not sit still for such treatment. After all, you are an adult and have been taking care of yourself for YEARS. How dare someone else think they can do a better job? Very few people like being treated like a child once they are an adult. But it’s for safety! I hear your argument. It’s been the same argument for years. We all agree that we don’t want patients falling out of bed. But do side rails really prevent this? Let’s see. How many of you have a “falling out...

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What if I have a criminal background?

Feb05

0

What if I have a criminal background?

Posted by Patricia Ramsey, RN on Feb 5, 2013

What if I have a criminal background?

What if I have a criminal background? I am often asked, “What if I have a criminal background? Can I still be a CNA?” The answer is…it depends. When you register for the CNA exam, you will have to have a Level 2 background screening done. This will display any arrests and/or convictions at both the state and national level. “Level 1 and Level 2 background checks” are terms used only in Florida, based on Florida Statute Chapter 435. These terms are used to indicate what records are searched and how the search will be conducted. According to the FDLE CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS / BACKGROUND CHECKS FACT SHEET issued on OCTOBER 7, 2011: Level 1 generally refers to a state only name based check AND an employment history check. Level 2 generally refers to a state and national fingerprint based check and consideration of disqualifying offenses, and applies to those employees designated by law as holding positions of responsibility or trust. Section 435.04, F.S., mandates Level 2 security background investigations be conducted on employees, defined as individuals required by law to be fingerprinted pursuant to Chapter 435, F.S. These background checks will search state and national (FBI) databases for any arrests and/or convictions as well as active warrants and injunctions for protection. This extensive check will involve the submission of fingerprints as well as verification of identity. So, what if you have a criminal history? The state of Florida has an obligation to protect its citizens and mandates background screenings for all healthcare professionals to ensure that employees do not have a violent history or a history of theft, extortion or fraud. Because healthcare professionals often care for physically or mentally ill patients in a variety of settings, including providing unsupervised care in the patient’s homes or a congregate living facility, every effort must be made to ensure good moral character to protect the physical, emotional and financial interests of those patients. Don’t take it personally if you are disqualified…remember, it is all about the patient’s safety, not you. To help simplify this process, it is felonies that they are mainly concerned with. However, if you have multiple misdemeanors, you may run into a bit of trouble too. The Board of Nursing has published a chart to explain disqualifying offenses. It can be found by going to: ...

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Home » Healthcare Laws

Side Rail Silliness

Sep06

Side Rail Silliness

Posted By Patricia Ramsey, RN on Sep 6, 2014 in Basic CNA Principles, Healthcare Laws | 1 comment

Side rails must be used to promote safety. Right? I mean, everyone knows this is true. Ask anyone on the street. We have seen it in movies and on TV. Many nurses will even tell you that side rails are essential and should always be used. The simple fact is that side rails are considered a restraint. “What?” you may ask. Let me explain. When you have a child and you don’t want them running around unattended, where do...

Read More

What if I have a criminal background?

Feb05

What if I have a criminal background?

Posted By Patricia Ramsey, RN on Feb 5, 2013 in Healthcare Laws, Test Administration | 0 comments

What if I have a criminal background? I am often asked, “What if I have a criminal background? Can I still be a CNA?” The answer is…it depends. When you register for the CNA exam, you will have to have a Level 2 background screening done. This will display any arrests and/or convictions at both the state and national level. “Level 1 and Level 2 background checks” are terms used only in Florida, based on Florida Statute Chapter...

Read More