Risks and Compensation of Working Overnight in a Health Care Organization

The following case study illustrates a common risk and workers' compensation exposure associated with working overnight. In a healthcare organization -» slips and falls, Case Study: Two months ago, |.M. Well Medical Center modified the floorcare protocols used by their housekeeping department to maintain the shine on the floors in patient care units. The new protocol specified that all stripping and relaxing of floors would be done between 5 pm. and midnight, Monday through Friday. At 9.45 pm. on Thursday. on the medical surgical floor, the workers in charge of floor maintenance had just finished stripping the floor and were beginning the process of re-waxing IL The patient care unit was very busy. It had a full census (every bed was occupied). The patients were very ill and were both mentally and physically compromised.

The vacation schedule had also left the unit short one nurse. so the nurse supervisor asked Mary to work a double shift. Maw, a 58-year» old registered nurse with osteoporosis, had two years to go before her early retirement Because she needed extra money, she agreed to work her normal first shift (from 7 am, to 3:00 p.m.) and a second shift from 3:00 pm. to 11:00 pm. The first shift had been extremely hectic and the second showed no sign of being any easier. Mary was not accustomed to being up at this time of night and was physically exhausted. The spicy vending machine meal she had wolfed down on her dinner break (the cafeteria had been closed) had left her stomach quite queasy.

Yet, because she was conscientious and had five more patients to distribute medicines to before 10:00 pm, she was quickening her strides when she reached the corridor leading from the nursing station to her next patient‘s room. Mary had never worked this shift before and no one had briefed her as to what to expect. The hall was dimly lit at this time of night so the patients could sleep. There was no sign indicating that the floor was being waxed. As soon as her feet hit the still-wet, newly waxed floor, they slipped out from under her, A sharp "crack" was followed closely by Maiy's scream. She had broken her hip. Unfortunately. as a consequence of the injury. she was unable to return to her normal duties or even her normal vocation, the cost of the injury to her employer was a $125,000 workers' compensation claim.

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