Posted on 10/11/2006 4:52:31 AM PDT by bd476
I want to die like grandpa, peacefully...in his sleep.
Not like the 5 terrified passengers in his minivan.
"Staph infections are contagious, her daughter and the nurses could get
infected also. It isnt even safe to visit. "
I'd go with what "mommd" said in post 16.
(and I'm NOT an MD, but I have endured about a couple rounds of fighting,
presumably MRSA, that nearly took my left leg).
Just as an advisory, you should probably consult with your physician just to
talk over any precautions to take before, during. after visiting a nursing
home or hospital.
I'd advise one thing from my own case if you do make many visits;
have FAST access to your personal physician. If you do get a bit of MRSA
or similar "superbug", that stuff can spread FAST. And you can have
veiled symptoms like fever and muscle tightness that feels like a nasty flu
that could tip you off (at least that was the case for me).
That fooled me in the first case and made my case worse than need be.
I agree with you about the lazy daughter. The patient was talking, therefore she was not intubated. It doesn't take a professional to change a diaper.
"Cleaning up after your mom" is several planets away from the treatment a woman with severe, morbid diarrhea needs to receive.
Right now in America there is a shortage of folks wanting to be nurses and a shortage of Masters and PHD degreed nurse educators to teach the students who want to be nurses. So sometimes the hospitals close floors and increase the work loads of the nurses they do have by cramming more patients into the few remaining floors. A lot of times it isn't the availability of money to pay, a lot of times it is the shortage of help available to hire.(though money is another big issue).
I have had both of my knees replaced and have to take antibiotics before any dental procedure (even cleaning) to prevent any kind of infection.
The care has been suffering for quite awhile here in the US. Thats why I only do critical care..other wise too many patients to care for. I always was with my Mom or Dad in the hospital so they wouldnt inadvertently be killed by staff; or lack of staff. Horrible out there these days.
Actually po or IV flagyl or oral Vancomycin is fairly effective with CDIFF.
Diapering such patient's isn't a good idea as the fecal material is caustic to the skin. Peri care and turning them every 2 hours and applying a skin emolient/barrier is protective enough until the diarrhea/incontinence subsides. Yogurt or feeding powdered lactobacillus thru a tube feeding for example helps restore normal cultures to the gut. A fecal incontinence bag or rectally inserted rectal tube type system can help when CDIFF is at its most liquid by protecting the skin and reducing the stress of frequent bed changes.
It seems to me there was a lot that could have been done for this woman that wasn't. I'd like to know what of the above treatment options were or were not available for this woman given that the unit was"understaffed".
Was she given oral flagyl or vancomycin? Heaven help us if a national health care system ever got going in our country!
My cousin died last month from cancer and MRSA he picked up in a hospital in Pittsburgh. He was weak from Chemo, etc..and didn't have the strength to fight off the staph..
People on the forum should be aware that going to the hospital is NOT that safe anymore. Get in and out as fast as possible..
sw
That's great that you chose to be with your Mom and Dad in the hospital to oversee their care. :-)
Agree with you - it really is bad out there. Hopefully you have family who will advocate for you should you be hospitalized at some point. I'm not convinced that professional courtesies or extra care for fellow medical personnel are automatically extended anymore, or as much as they used to be.
In your area, have you noticed that the nurse/patient ratio has been decreased or do you think that it's on a hospital corporation by corporation basis for the budget cuts?
My mother and grandmother did in-home care for my dying grandfather. They had help from a visiting nurse who came two times a week. But, my mother did the lifting, the cleaning, the bathing, the attending to the catheter, the oxygen, the food which was pureed. It was demanding work.
But, they had always promised my grandfather that he would never go to the nursing home. And my younger sister and I were blessed to be there the moment that he died.
I can only hope that one day, when it is my turn, that my children will take care of me in the same fashion.
I have a sister-in-law who worked at a nursing home. She said the animosity is very discouraging.
She explained how the nurses and aides are very attentive when the family members are visiting. But afterwards, they tune out.
Their reasoning? The patient just received two hours personal time with family. The staff believe that this reduces their responsibility and they can go on to other things.
If more people knew this, they would want to be at the nursing home all the time... not to mention: Don't call the nurses desk and tell them when you are arriving. They put on a good show when they know you are there.
Exactly. At times I felt selfish, despite my being tired, broke, worried, hassled, it also felt wonderful, light, just hard to explain. It really is an honor. Thanks, Texas Chilli.
That is a wonderful lesson that your Mom and Grandmother taught you about life, love, family and care. Children learn from their parents' examples more than from words alone.Pan_Yans Wife wrote: "...Their reasoning? The patient just received two hours personal time with family. The staff believe that this reduces their responsibility and they can go on to other things."
The hospice my Dad was in was as home like as one could be. When some of my relatives noticed children running down the halls, they were startled. I was happy seeing them. Children are family.
It happens in hospice facilities also. That's very good advice to avoid notifying the staff about your estimated time of arrival at the nursing home, hospital or hospice.
I didnt get any extra courtesies..and besides my being a nurse, my husband is a doc. No person cared...they were as horrible to my family members as to the other patients!
Overall the nurse patient ratio has steadily increased. Also, I find the nurses coming in as new grads have a bare minimum, if that, of actual nursing or health knowledge. To me, most are quite ignorant. I will not let a family member go it alone ever!
I am not an expert by any means, but I would be careful if I were you Visiting hospitals.
Duly noted! Lucky for me, I haven't had to go anywhere near one since my last knee replacement surgery, and I asked my doctor to go home a day early from that!
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