Nurse Exposes Va Hospital

[carlie]

"Nurse exposes VA hospital: Stolen drugs, tortured veterans

By Valerie Riviello

July 12, 2014 | 10:17am

Registered nurse Valerie Riviello has worked 28 years at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center, most recently in the psychiatric unit. She teaches at two local nursing schools, and has received many honors for patient care and safety, including the Florence Nightingale Award. Last fall, Riviello challenged the treatment of a female veteran strapped to her bed for hours on end, in violation of VA rules. As a result, she was stripped of her nursing duties. Now she’s one of 37 whistleblowers nationwide whose allegations of retaliation are under investigation by the US Office of Special Counsel. Riviello told her story to The Post’s Susan Edelman.

On Nov. 5 of last year, I started my shift on the psychiatric ward at about 6:30 a.m.

A female Navy veteran, a victim of sexual assault in the military, was locked in a two-point restraint — her right arm and left leg were strapped to the bedposts. She also had a belt tied around her waist to restrict her movement.

She had been restrained that morning because she was “disruptive and agitated.”

By 9 a.m., the veteran pleaded to be freed from the shackles. The nursing team and I made an assessment. We felt that she was ready to come out. She was calm and cooperative and taking her medication.

Modal Trigger

Valerie RivielloPhoto: Shannon DeCelle

We reported our assessment to the attending physician, who did not agree. The doctor felt the patient was “unpredictable.” But we concluded she had no intent to harm herself or anyone else. She was in pain and wanted to use the bathroom — to bathe, wash her hair, brush her teeth.

We kept advocating for her release, which was met with resistance from the physician. At 1 p.m., the patient had wet herself, was sweating and aching from being in the same position for so long."

Full article:

http://nypost.com/2014/07/12/nurse-exposes-va-hospital-stolen-drugs-tortured-veterans/

[Stretch]

Hickey will be on the Vets committee in a while. The hearing is on cspan2 now.

[Navy04]

Around every turn there is always a different animal in the road!