So disappointed with the care....

Published

Specializes in NICU.

So here I am sitting with my grandmother who is in the hospital with UTI, sepsis, ARF, and dehydration. I've only seen the nurse twice and I've been here since 6am. No one has assessed her, looked at her skin, or brought her fresh ice. No hourly rounds? They are obviously not on any computer systems but they don't even bring a paper MAR into the room when giving meds. I always assess my patients and at least try to round every other hour. What is the deal? Glad I'm here to look after her.

Last night my g-ma had a small seizure. Only lasted 10 seconds, no ictal period, but she had some disorientation afterwards. When we told the nurse she just said... "I'm sure she didn't have a seizure." Um... you know a seizure when you see one. Thankfully I was here this morning to tell the doctor about it. He thinks it was related to everything going on with her.

I just don't feel safe leaving her here but I can't stay 24/7. Also I have to back to work Thursday. Please say a prayer.

Tiger

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..

I'm sorry Tiger. Did you tell the Dr about your concerns or the nurse manager?

It could just be one bad nurse, hope you get better care for her!

(((((((((((((((((((Tiger and Grammy )))))))))))

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Go speak to the CN. Hope she feels better soon.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

It's not an excuse - but it is likely the reality of med-surg nursing with 6+ patients.

Are visiting hours completely 24/7?

Wishing your Gram a speedy recovery. :heartbeat

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Specializes in NICU.

Well I'm a medsurg nurse with 6+ patients and I make time for assessments. Visiting hours are 24/7 but my grandmother does not rest when I'm here. I offer to stay over night but she gets angry and fusses and tells me I shouldn't have driven up here in the first place let alone sleep in a chair. But she was really bad off....still is.. and I had to come of course.

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Specializes in med surg,.

I would question the care too. Did you leave the room even to get breakfast ? Or a drink? If you are really worried i would talk to the nurse then the charge nurse and move up from there. Can you afford to hire a sitter? Some hospital have them at your cost or you can have friend sit with her. That way you have someone watching her. Is she alert and oriented? you can also ask she be moved closer to the nurses station so the nurses can watch her?

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Hope your grandma gets well soon. No, it's not right to assume that your grandma didn't really have any episode of seizure; she wasn't even there.

But, last night was one of those nights when I was only able to see two of my pts 2x or 3x, the first time during my initial rounding (though those two were the most stable). As soon I got report, I was up on my feet; did not sit until about 2:30... to finish my admission sheet. One pt has multiple meds, with sched 8, 10, 11, 1, 2, 4, 6, 7... requiring suction almost every hour, diaper changes d/t diarrhea, etc; got an admission early (another diarrhea)... paraplegic... calls for pain every 15-30 min... 3rd pt's on triple antibiotics with neb tx q2h... :uhoh3:

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i've always found, if they know you're a nurse, doc or lawyer then you or the person your with gets pretty good care.

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Specializes in NICU.
i've always found, if they know you're a nurse, doc or lawyer then you or the person your with gets pretty good care.

Well... of course my grandmother introduces me as her granddaughter "the nurse." I don't think it has helped with the care though. Everyone is nice, don't get me wrong. They just aren't very attentive. I would just like for someone to at least listen to her lungs. Esp with her getting all of this fluid. I knew I should have brought my stethescope.

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Specializes in med surg,.

I would ask someone if I could borrow thier stethscope. I might light a fire under them and if not at least you could reassure yourself.t

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Is your grandmother a nursing home resident? Curious.

Sorry for her troubles. I'd chalk this one up to indifference and/or poor staffing.

Good luck.

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Specializes in NICU.

No my grandmother still lives at home with her husband. She is very independent and is A and O x 4. Her stubborn ways got her into this mess. (Kept refusing to go to the doctor because she was "fine") I live 3 hours away so I just kept taking her word for it. It took her throwing up in church and then falling down the church stairs to realize she was not "fine."

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