[talaxandra]

How beyond ridiculous. In what universe do OTs have superior knowledge of pressure areas! I'm torn between anger, outrage and incredulous laughter, and choose to go with -

I don't see the advantage to having physio practitioners doing this kind of assessment, rather than nurses - sounds like physios encroaching on nursing territory, again. And you can bet that it might start, but wouldn't stay, in cas (I'm with you on the terminology, Grace!).

We've had physios disgruntled because nursing staff have had the temerity to assess stroke patients and sit them out of bed (because apparently we should just let them stay in bed from Friday afternoon until Tuesday morning after a long weekend).

And if I read one more note from a physio about the need to sit respiratorily-compromised patients upright I'll scream! And what I'll scream is "yes, I know that they need complete lung expansion for clearance of secretions and optimal gaseous exchange, but you know that massive, infected, broken down pilonidal sinus they came in with? The one that caused the immobility, lethargy and deconditioning that lead them to have a chest infection in the first place? Kinda also a factor to take into consideration. So bite me."

A month or so ago one of the physios, with students in tow, asked a friend of mine to get the height-adjustable taxi chair. Says my friend "height adjustable? No, we don't have one, I've never seen one, I don't think so."
"Yes, yes," says the physio with an eye roll, "the height adjustable taxi chair. I've used it before. This man is very tall."
Well, thanks for that - we had no idea, having sat him out, turned him and, oh I don't know, actually clapped eyes on him lo these several days since his admission.
So my friend searches the whole ward, where she's worked for five years, for the height adjustable taxi chair that none of us have known existed.
"Nope," reports my friend, "no such thing."
"Call [another unit]," says the physio. "I know they have one."
You may be asking yourself why my friend didn't tell the physio to make the call herself, but that's because she actually is my friend and not me, and she is therefore lovely and easy-going and considerate.
So she rings the other ward, who tell her that there's no such thing, at least at this hospital, as a height adjustable shower chair.
And she returns to the physio, saying "Yeah, I checked - they don't exist."
And the physio says "Okay, we'll use a regular taxi chair."

[AussieTina]

Just a question

If this gets brought in does this mean that the physio can order physiotherapy for a patient even if the doctor does not?

I am wondering about this because my 13 yo daughter had severe scoliosis, steel rods inserted and spinal fusion 5 months ago, the doc did not order any physio for her, he said that she did not need it.

The physio was very surprised at this.

Now she is in constant pain and having difficulty with her ADLs, has missed 7 weeks of school due to the pain. She is now seeing the physio as her muscles in her back has spasmed and this pysio is furious with the doctor who performed her op for not referring her. (the op was in brissy, no more ops up here, love the QLD health ).

Tina

hope this makes sense. Exams in 3 days so no sleep and brain in overload

[gwenith]

Originally Posted by TinaUSQstudent

Just a question

If this gets brought in does this mean that the physio can order physiotherapy for a patient even if the doctor does not?

I am wondering about this because my 13 yo daughter had severe scoliosis, steel rods inserted and spinal fusion 5 months ago, the doc did not order any physio for her, he said that she did not need it.

The physio was very surprised at this.

Now she is in constant pain and having difficulty with her ADLs, has missed 7 weeks of school due to the pain. She is now seeing the physio as her muscles in her back has spasmed and this pysio is furious with the doctor who performed her op for not referring her. (the op was in brissy, no more ops up here, love the QLD health ).

Tina

hope this makes sense. Exams in 3 days so no sleep and brain in overload

Yep! Sounds like an Orthopod - little bit 'o surgery can fix ANYTHING .

Now you know why there are all those jokes about Orhtopaedic surgeons

(?What is the difference between an orthopaedic surgeon and a wardsman?
The Wardsman knows the name of 2 antibiotics
What is an Orthopods definition of a heart?
Keflin pump
What is the definition of a double blind study?
2 Orthopods reading an ECG)

Better stop now before I get into trouble

Yes Talaxandra I understand where you are coming from with the OT's - I did not know what made me madder - the OTs who were assuming this role or the nurses that let them!

My latest issue with OT's is finding written in an MI patients chart by an OT "Discussed with patient signs of onset of MI". - Will keep you posted on this one because there are several issues relating to that not the least of which is:- What the hell are they telling the patient are the sx of an MI? We nurses all know that diagnosing an MI often has to wait until we have a positive troponin and or ECG changes - I am shuddering hoping that they have NOT have been telling patients that chest pain = MI.

[gwenith]

PS Tina - hope your daughter gets better and those spasms stop.

[SH WA RN/SM]

At long last I can read some commemts on line which I can related more to, instead of just reading about nursing in the USA (no offense). It is great to heard from fellow Aussie nurses at last.
Came across this site my chance so hopefully will be able to reaccess this site again and again.
Keep in touch
Fellow Aussie Nurse (from Western Australia).

[gwenith]

Welcome to to the forum!! Thanks for dropping in!

[kpwlj]

HI I was also a bit shocked when I saw all of the american postings and not and ausie in sight
I just signed up tonight
I am a 2nd year nursing student. My course is online. I came across this site while I was searching for research articles on VAC Dressings. Any way I best get back to work or I'm going to fail this subject.

[Grace Oz]

Cooeee!!!! Hello! G'day! anybody here?????!!!
Seems to be the same ol mob posting and expressing opinions/ sharing.
Not that I don't love the same ol mob!
But, hey! Come on you lot! Don't let the Aussies have such little representation here on allnurses! Get onboard, join in and POST POST POST!
Gwenith has done a great job setting up this -GENERAL AUSSIE CHAT- SOOOOO, LET'S MAKE USE OF IT!

Ok, so did anyone attend the protest marches for the new/proposed IR laws????
What do you think of them?
Will nurses be greatly affected in real terms?
Are we good enough negotiators to ensure we are taken care of?

[gwenith]

Hi Grace

I personally am worried - very worried because so much of the industrial action by nurses have centered on patient care and professional development.

I personally would LOVE to hear from my fellow nurses about how they feel as I might (just might) be in a position to actually get those concerns to someone who can do something about this (no promises!)

[simona]

I'm soooo angry !!!! my friend is waiting for her registration with QNC and they can't tell her anything. When she sent the application, she was told that it takes 10 working days, but this was 3 weeks ago , today she was told that it will take at least another 10 days. She has an application with DIMIA for her working visa and they are waiting for the registration to give her the visa. She has a job offer and they are also waiting for the registration , she can't work as a RN if she's only eligible for registration (like other professionals can) she needs that piece of paper. Now her visitor visa expires and she has to go back to Europe and wait there (few days) to get the registration and working visa and then retun to Australia, and this is very expensive .