Jan 04, 2011, 10:06 pm
To answer your question...............Not enough speak out!!
I recently worked in a facility for 6 months and the things that went on there, were unbelievable. Food hygiene was non existent and often not enough food to go around, medication errors and carelessness on a continuous basis, elderly with bed sores that were not being treated, urine soaked beds not being changed and much, much more. I was constantly bringing this to the attention of management, while trying to make things better. Management new and didn't care. All they were interested in was collecting the fees and cutting corners as much as possible.
The authorities had been notified a few times but management somehow, were always able to make things look ok when being inspected. After 6 months I could not stand it any more and when a staff member slapped a resident and management told the resident they were a liar, I left and filed a complaint with the authorities. I had documented and taken photos of the conditions in the facility. The inspector told me that I could make an anonymous complaint and that they already suspected some of what was going on but had no way of proving any of it. The anonymous complaint would be looked into but limited their investigation. I decided to put my name to it and do whatever it takes to see that these beautiful people were treated with respect and dignity. It was a very difficult thing to do and I have received backlash from it. I have had them find out where I was working and ring my new boss with a ton of lies about me. Fortunately, I still have my position and she did not believe them anyway. I would do it again if the need arose.
