Help me to forgive them

Nurses General Nursing

Published

When I arrive in a PT's room, at the start of a new shift, it's very annoying for me to find debris in a PT's bed. And not just any PT's... it's usually the severely bed ridden ones that have all kinds of plastic syringe tops and dresing wrappers left in their bed. It really bothers me.

To think that a RN, or DR, or anybody would be so indignant as to pop medical debris onto the floor or bed of a PT because they are so absent-minded not to use the trash can. And again, it's always the very ill PT's (maybe because they feel they can get away with it)

I know RN's and DR's are busy, and rushed, but what does it say about a person's work when they toss debris around? It's slightly demotivating for me to see a PT bed or bedside floor littered with all types of plastic tips and everything else that can come from the hands of a health care provider.

Even if I was super-busy, I would never flip plastic caps or wrappers into a bed, or onto the floor, of a PT. I would put that stuff in the trash...duh.

I ask myself - what impression should I have on the first person I see/catch tossing stuff around after a bedside proceedure in blatent disregard? Can you forgive that stuff? If a DR changed a dressing, and left the PT's room with wrappers all in the covers, or on the floor, what are you supposed to do? Could you forgive an RN who threw an alcohol wipe wrapper, or CBG lancet top, or syringe cap in bed with your grandma or grandpa? What does it say about a person if they would do that? How do you (respectfully) call someone on this behavior/terrible habit? It's not right!!

Mario, the words in your last paragraph are the ones that you will want to practice by-

Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt, Uncle, Mom, Dad, brother, sister, cousin, child, etc. Deliver your patient care (even the unlovely ones) the way you would want one of your relatives cared for, and you will never have a regret. Everyone is special to someone.

Ya know, Mario, for one who is an avowed atheist, you certainly do emulate a lot of the love and kindness taught us in the Bible!

"Be ye kind, one to another."

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

"What you have done for the least of these my brethren, you have done unto Me.";)

Part of me wants to say "don't sweat the small stuff"

My first reaction was there are just some days when something as simple as an untidy room tips you right over the edge. I think everyone is entitled to those days and those rages. Just don't let them drag on too long. Remember the cause and try not to be the culprit in the future.

Never is a long time. Everyone sonner or later leaves a mess, or what someone else perceives as a mess. Pick it up and move on. Most of the time life is too short to make yourself crazy. Now, if there is potential for harm to the Pt or other staff tell the person who created the dangerous situation what they did. Be polite.

My personal favorite here dates from before needless systems. I always made a fuss when someone would leave an uncapped needle from a piggyback set hanging swinging in the breeze. Talk about a needle stick waiting to happen. I always knew to be careful digging around in those beds as the people who leave needles hanging will leave them other places as well.

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Originally posted by mario_ragucci

When I arrive in a PT's room, at the start of a new shift, it's very annoying for me to find debris in a PT's bed. And not just any PT's... it's usually the severely bed ridden ones that have all kinds of plastic syringe tops and dresing wrappers left in their bed. It really bothers me.

To think that a RN, or DR, or anybody would be so indignant as to pop medical debris onto the floor or bed of a PT because they are so absent-minded not to use the trash can. And again, it's always the very ill PT's (maybe because they feel they can get away with it)

I know RN's and DR's are busy, and rushed, but what does it say about a person's work when they toss debris around? It's slightly demotivating for me to see a PT bed or bedside floor littered with all types of plastic tips and everything else that can come from the hands of a health care provider.

Even if I was super-busy, I would never flip plastic caps or wrappers into a bed, or onto the floor, of a PT. I would put that stuff in the trash...duh.

I ask myself - what impression should I have on the first person I see/catch tossing stuff around after a bedside proceedure in blatent disregard? Can you forgive that stuff? If a DR changed a dressing, and left the PT's room with wrappers all in the covers, or on the floor, what are you supposed to do? Could you forgive an RN who threw an alcohol wipe wrapper, or CBG lancet top, or syringe cap in bed with your grandma or grandpa? What does it say about a person if they would do that? How do you (respectfully) call someone on this behavior/terrible habit? It's not right!!

Hello Mario :)

Things like this used to irritate me to no end! You are absolutely right to feel as you do about this! I never stayed quiet about things like this, but would let the staff AND the doctors know that I did not want them throwing medical debris in my patients' beds or on the pateint floors. I didn't care if they liked my complaining or not.....they still got the verbal reprimand from me.

Speak to your NM about that, and see if she can't hold a "meeting" in regards to things you find in the patient beds. Collect every little thing you have to pick up and throw away from the beds and floors of your patients, put them in a wash basin, then show it to your NM and the staff you work with. You might want to put that wash basin full of litter on the table in the nursing lounge where report is given so you can daily remind them to be more respectful of their patients space, etc. I applaud you for bringing this issue to the forefront as it is one that definitely deserves full attention from those you work with. :kiss

Forgiveness is not the word I would stumble over in situations like this.......just peeved about it all......not at the person for we shouldn't curse the person......just their "disrespectful behavior". ;)

Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Psych.

I try to do the best I can, but I am sure I leave litle tidbits behind now and then. Come on people, as busy as we are, how has this issue become such a big hairy deal?? Am I missing something or are some of us getting just a bit petty?

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I am very simple-minded I guess. I have found similar things following other nurses; I bet they have w/me. (gasps, I am not perfect, either). I do not deliberately deliver sloppy or shoddy care; I sometimes get overwhelmed by too much going at once or handling crises and get a bit absent-minded, maybe.

personally, I have no problem cleaning up the mess as soon as I see it. I am quick to apologize and reassure the patient that I will do my best to see it does not happen again. I then address it with the so-called "offending party".

I have learned to be a bit more easy-going as time goes by; I live by the proverbial K*I*S*S* principle. You might try the same, Mario?

Honey, you have a LOOOOOOOOONG nursing career ahead of you and if you blow your top and figure you have to worry how to "forgive" those that offend you with things like this, you will really go crazy. Just address this issue directly w/coworkers at staff meetings or report and if you know the "offender", why not pull him/her aside and kindly mention it and ask it not be done again? If the problem is a persistent one, engage your manager's help with this. Of course, if harm is done; that is another matter and you must do what you can to stop it from occuring again. Personally, I am grateful if someone calls to my attention an error I have made so I can correct it and MOVE ON!

K*I*S*S* my friend! It will go easier for ya.:kiss

It doesn't matter whether you are in housekeeping, or transportantion, an aide, RN, therapist, Dr....there are things you can't do, one being to flip debris into the bed of a sleeping or demented PT. Some will chastize me as not being an RN yet, suggesting it is okay to exhibit this careless behavior once you are an RN. There is no way to justify your rightousness in tossing stuff in bed with a PT. What's the matter with you?

Now I, in all honesty, don't see this happen very much. I have started this to get a feel of how some people might react when I catch someone for the first time in my work setting. I am forever in debt to all who responded for providing me a base.

Addresing another healthcare proffessional about flipping debris into a PT's bed is taboo. When I do see it for the first time, I will pretent not to see it, so as to avoid any "battles" or skirmishes with opposing forces :-)

For Cathy Wilson... "I have never sinned (flipped debris to a PT's bed), therefore, I have every right to cast as many stones as i want. :-) Avowed lover of life. Amen.41808737

If memory serves "heavens to Mergatroy" is something Mr. Magoo said when he was astonished by something. He also said, "I just don't know anymore."

What makes America great is that we have workers who think it's okay to be slobs. America the beautiful, it makes me proud.

Specializes in Everything except surgery.

I don't think it's petty to ask someone to take just take the same time it took to lay that trash on the counter ...and place it in the trash...which is just as close! I strongly dislike trying to find things in all the mess I come across in med rooms, and before I can even think straight...I have to move it! I don't say anything to anyone..unless I'm standing right there when they do it! It does tick me off...and I think it has more to do with being careless ...than how busy you are! As I'm busy also..and I don't like walking into rooms...where I have to clean off a bedside table...when staff is sitting down babbling.

I clean my rooms upon starting my shift, and before I leave! And I also empty trash bags in the rooms, the nurses station...and the med room if time allows!!! I have found if I throw the packages away as I used them...I have no less time to all the things I need to do! If this is being picky...so be it! I just prefer to be organized...and neat! My bad...I can't see the need to leave all the crap for someone else..:o

Specializes in Trauma acute surgery, surgical ICU, PACU.

Mario, I think you need to get a grip and get some perspective.

YOu may be learning about the nursing role in your job as a CNA.... but you have NOT done the job of a nurse yet.

I think it is not your subject so much as your preaching.

Mr High-and-mighty know it all, eh?

Yeah, leaving syringe caps and wrappers on a bed isn't excellent nursing practice, but it doesn't make someone a "bad nurse".

And you seem to be taking this awfully personally.

Maybe you need to get a new job if you feel so "disrespected" by a co-worker's busy forgetfullness.

Aww Peebles, I'm beating it to death on purpose. It's okay to beat to death a topic before it bugs you. i don't get physically perturbed if I come across trashed rooms. Really. I apologize for coming accross as "High Mucky Muck" or something like that. Im not. I just want to add some "shock value" to the topic with my word choice. You know, as well as I do, that it is dispickable (like Daffy Duck would say) to litter on a person, or in their space. I think i have beat this to death. And i really appreciate the comments, yours too.

I forgive all staff who do this, and still welcome "trash flippers" into my heart.

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Originally posted by mario_ragucci

It doesn't matter whether you are in housekeeping, or transportantion, an aide, RN, therapist, Dr....there are things you can't do, one being to flip debris into the bed of a sleeping or demented PT. Some will chastize me as not being an RN yet, suggesting it is okay to exhibit this careless behavior once you are an RN. There is no way to justify your rightousness in tossing stuff in bed with a PT. What's the matter with you?

If memory serves "heavens to Mergatroy" is something Mr. Magoo said when he was astonished by something. He also said, "I just don't know anymore."

What makes America great is that we have workers who think it's okay to be slobs. America the beautiful, it makes me proud.

I STILL SAY 'AMEN...AMEN...AMEN'...AND THAT'S THAT FROM ME ON THIS TOPIC!!! :chuckle :kiss

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Gee I do NOT recall ANYONE defending sloppy practice here? American the beautiful? How bout the America, the OVERWORKED???? WE *ALL* make mistakes, and Mario, friend you just might too! No one here is suggesting lowering the bar or excusing lousy or slipshod practices here! however....what I did notice.......is.....

You were given solid advice how to handle it and to get on with it. How hard do you have to make it, friend? If it is such a HUGE problem where you are, then see what you can do about it, but don't get to taking it so personally! If you must "forgive" then hasten to do so and MOVE ON! whewwww!

Specializes in Med-Surg, Long Term Care.
Originally posted by Jay Levan

I have seen as follows: beer cans, fast food wrappers, candy bar wrappers, food that for whatever reason has missed someones mouth, used condoms, and heavens to murgatroid, even drug paraphernalia, lying on the patients bed,

Originally posted by ktwlpn

(PS-Jay-what is a murgatroid?)

Originally posted by mario_ragucci

If memory serves "heavens to Mergatroy" is something Mr. Magoo said when he was astonished by something. He also said, "I just don't know anymore."

The phrase is "Heavens to Murgatroid" and it was spoken by a cartoon character named Snagglepuss. From the Cartoon-O-Rama website:

"The character of Snagglepuss originally appeared in 1959 as a minor character on episodes of Quick Draw McGraw, Augie Doggie, and Snooper & Blabber (this episode introduced Snagglepuss's nemesis the master hunter Major Minor). The character proved to have such appeal that he was given his own segment on The Yogi Bear Show when it premiered in 1961. Snagglepuss's favorite sayings were "Exit stage left" and "Heavens to Murgatroid." In the '70s and '80s Snagglepuss appeared with other Hanna-Barbera stars on shows like Yogi's Gang (1973), Scooby's All-Star Laff-A-Lympics (1977-1979), and Yogi's Treasure Hunt (1985-1988). Snagglepuss's voice was also borrowed for the character of The Funky Phantom (1971). Snagglepuss's memorable voice was provided by supreme voice artist, Daws Butler (Butler was Hanna-Barbera's most prolific actor, providing the voices of Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Dixie, Mr. Jinks, Quick Draw, Baba Looey, Snuffles the dog, Augie Doggie, Peter Potamus, Wally Gator, Hokey Wolf, Snooper, and Blabber, as well as providing the voice of Cap'N Crunch for Jay Ward." (See photos, etc at: http://members.aol.com/PaulEC2/Snagglepuss.html

Now won't we all sleep better after knowing all of this? I know *I* will. We now return you to our regularly scheduled thread. Back to you, Mario... :D

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