RNs, Bedbaths, I&O & Linen Changes

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2004

We have aides at our institution do that. But we work together. Some patients are too heavy for the cna to bath or linen change alone.

The cna communicates with the nurse to get the iv intakes and other intakes, and we keep an i&o sheet in the room.

As the RN, you are in charge of managing your patient, making sure their bath is done, linens changed, and knowing what the i&o and vitals are. So communicate with those CNAs and techs as to what you need for your patient!

When I first started work the RNs did total care, did everything for their patient and had less patients. Sometimes I miss those days. With the shortage and the greater use of unlicensed persons, and higher patient loads, the RN can't be expected to all for the patient. But you must be aware of what is happening to your patient. Am I making sense here?

zambezi, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2004

If you work in critical care, you will do these things yourself (at least at my hosptial).

ImaStork · Feb 21, 2004

At my hospital on the night shift in Women's Services you will do it yourself. We had the choice of another licensed personel or an aide we chose licensed. At my hospital an FTE is an FTE.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 22, 2004

My thanks and appreciation goes out to any nurse who helps the cna with these things. :)

Gator,SN · Feb 22, 2004

When I worked as an NA on Med/surg, these duties were mine and it was rare to find a nurse helping out. Now I'm in CCU and I do it every shift. We have CNA's in my unit but usually only one per shift so I do these tasks myself. I feel fortunate when I have time to give a bed bath because it gives me some time to get to know my patient. We talk about all kinds of things and it takes their mind off of it if they are shy. It is also a good way to assess skin, chest excursion, any SOB etc.

Gator

memphispanda, RN · Feb 22, 2004

We have MAs that do most of those things, but they can't be everywhere at once. On nights there are only 2 of them, and they have 22 pts each, not to mention the ones they work together on because they are too heavy or unstable for one person. I empty foleys, urinals, etc at least several times every shift. I do much fewer linen changes because it's nights and we rarely change sheets unless they get dirty. If I'm in the room, I'll change them if I am able. Baths...very rare on nights. The only people that bathe at night are ones able to do it themselves unless someone just gets in an awful mess. Then whoever can help usually chips in to get it done as quickly as possible.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2004

Much the same here in Aust. We do not have the level of "assitive personnel" some places seem to have - here we are the original dog's body we do nearly everything. However many places still have Wardmen/OSO/PCA'a who are hired to primarily help with turning and moving patients.

It is different in Nursing homes/LTC where there is a higher proportion of certified and enrolled personnel.

Hope that gives you an insight into what to expect if you ever come to this part of the woods

Agnus · Feb 22, 2004

It is, as you can see from the above post, a mixed bag. Always be prepared to do these tasks. Even where you have aids that do them there will be times that you will need to do them. Some places you will do it all.

In anycase you are ultimately responsible to insure this is all done for the patient.

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Feb 22, 2004

On my own, every shift!

dizzejan · Feb 22, 2004

i do everything from the rooter to the tooter!!

adrienurse, LPN · Feb 22, 2004

I do it, I share the work. I work in a team and being in a team doesn't just count when people are helping you. You have to help them, much better way to make sure things are done right.