Friday, September 26, 2008

Banana Peels??

I know alot of you are aware that we have been having a bit of troubles where I work. Well, we have been revisited by the State Inspectors and I am convinced they are out to get us or maybe it is the corporation that has taken over that they are out to get. Maybe its just a real test for many of us who do trust in the Lord but what ever it is we have been on the hot seat since July when all of this started.

Anyway we still haven't past all of the strikes against us. They did clear us of many of the more serious cites but at the exit meeting today, we were told that it is a dignity issue when assisting to feed residents if they have a banana and a staff member assists them by peeling said banana and then placing the peeling on the table, that is a dignity problem.!!!!!???

Now, I'm not real clear on whose dignity has been trampled on but when I eat a banana at home I recall peeling it and setting aside the peel on the table until I'm finished eating and generally take care of the peel when clearing the table.. Maybe it is the dignity of the banana itself because after all it has just been stripped naked with its protective clothing just throw aside. Maybe the banana wouldn't feel so bad if it's covering was immediately thrown away so it would forget it was once dressed in a bright yellow jacket. Of course when the staff member gets up and throws the peeling in the trash bucket they must then leave the room to wash their hands before returning to assist feeding the resident. If any of you have worked with the elderly before you know a multitude of things can happen if left unattended when they require assistance with eating.
This is just one of similar citations that we were given on this last visit. Some we did deserve I will not argue that but is that a little picky??? We have tired to make this institution as friendly and as homey place that these precious people call HOME in the last years of their lives but whenever it becomes more homelike we are called on the carpet with things like this.
I'm wondering what do think, have we caused a real dignity issue by setting a banana peel on the table.???? I would love to read your comments....

11 comments:

Cheri said...

When Mari told me about the citations, I just couldn't believe it.
It is totally ridiculous. Do these people not have anything better to do with their time?

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about all these events at your work.I once worked in a nursing home at night so we didn't get in on much of this but it sounds like you work in a good place and the banana peel left on the table is being way over rated.
I'm sorry you have to deal with this but God will handle it all!One way or the other.
Hugs. Lisa

Mari said...

I'm planning to post an update too. Maybe we should send a copy of our crazy citations to our representative so he has an idea of what the state puts us through!

Anonymous said...

Tell Mari that is a great idea!! if you have any fight do it now! They are closing Metron so they are looking for more. . .Fight the good fight. I will help if you need me to!! Hold on to Jesus:)

Cathy said...

That is the most ridiculous thing, Nancy. For some reason, they are really after you all. And this certainly IS something petty! I definitely would question it!

Melissa said...

That is ridiculous!!! I can't believe all the petty little things they're trying to cite us for! Absolutely insane... :(

Sandra said...

That is just absolutely ridiculous, I can NOT believe the things you guys are having to be put through at work.

Mimi said...

I think the state surveys go a little (no a lot) overboard with their cites ... but they can make anything a "Dignity Issue"...
I was an office manager for a nursing home for 10 years ...and they went through the patient trust accounts with a fine tooth comb..then I moved on up to internal auditor of all 11 of our homes...

so I lived through the state survey 11 times every year...and believe me...they made us jump through hoops....

tell me.. what did they expect you to do with the banana peal... cut it up and put it on their plates along with the banana..and hope the resident didn't eat it?

I think some of the inspectors let their power go to their heads...

when you have 10 or 15 tags...it sounds so bad...but when you realize how very meaningless some of them are you want to scream...
but they must all be answered with a written solution...and the general public who see your reports do not realize how silly some of them are...
Good luck with your resolutions to the survey...
Mimi

Anonymous said...

Well, I guess I'll be the odd one out and tell you absolutely, it's a dignity thing. You see, it's not very aPEELing to have that peel sitting on the table like that. Thus the loss of dignity. :)
Bless their darling hearts and stupid heads every one of them, huh?

Shelly said...

Go Bananas Go Go Bananas
b-a-n-a-n-a-s

That is rediculous. Too bad they did not slip on the banana peel. LOL JK

I like how you posted on a dignity issue with the banana.

Hang in there. You are all caring in that home. I think the new owners have another thing coming!

All My Blessings said...

When you told me about this I couldn't believe my ears!!! Although when I worked there, there were some things that seemed crazy! I'm sure someone is sleeping very good tonight because they took up for the banana AND I hope that banana appreciates what the state has done for it. SAVE THE BANANAS!!!! When I think of this dignity issue concerning the banana thing I can't help but wonder how many homes out there wrap their silverware. I only have wrapped silverware at picnics??? Laugh at them while they're gone then tomorrow put that serious face so they know you mean business!!!!LOLOLOLOL Peace in your soul.....k