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in LTC have you ever...



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Jan 26, 2009 08:04 AM

in LTC have you ever...


had a dr's order to restrict visitors for a single resident due to expectant visits from drug dealers?!

i mean..what this world is coming to. when your 70yr old granny is expecting hook ups from the east side boys, my lord. i fear for the future of my non-existant children.

then on top of that(obviously she's a very heavy narcotic abuser), this woman is going into major DT's from ETOH, nicotine, lortab, valium, soma...etc and all we are able to give her is PRN 0.5 ativan q6. haven't doctors ever heard of WEANING someone off of these things?! she should have had some sort of rehab before going into LTC.

sorry...rant about my shift.

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12 Comments
No. 1
from evilolive
Old Jan 26, 2009, 09:54 AM

Default Re: in LTC have you ever...
Well, I can't say that we've restricted visitors due to expectant visits from dealers, but we've definitely restricted visitors for residents due to reactions they have with certain people (resident has a traumatic brain injury).
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No. 2
from jess1983_LPN
Old Jan 26, 2009, 11:18 AM

Default Re: in LTC have you ever...
Originally Posted by gardenpartyy View Post
had a dr's order to restrict visitors for a single resident due to expectant visits from drug dealers?!

i mean..what this world is coming to. when your 70yr old granny is expecting hook ups from the east side boys, my lord. i fear for the future of my non-existant children.

then on top of that(obviously she's a very heavy narcotic abuser), this woman is going into major DT's from ETOH, nicotine, lortab, valium, soma...etc and all we are able to give her is PRN 0.5 ativan q6. haven't doctors ever heard of WEANING someone off of these things?! she should have had some sort of rehab before going into LTC.

sorry...rant about my shift.
In the words of my grandmother

"OY VAY"
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No. 3
from racing-mom4
Old Jan 26, 2009, 11:19 AM

Default Re: in LTC have you ever...
If I find my self in a nursing home I want to be as snowed as possible. If I dont have a "hook up" I would be looking for one!! In the mean while at least get the poor woman a nicotene patch!!
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No. 4
from ktwlpn
Old Jan 26, 2009, 11:44 AM

Default Re: in LTC have you ever...
Originally Posted by gardenpartyy View Post
had a dr's order to restrict visitors for a single resident due to expectant visits from drug dealers?!
i mean..what this world is coming to. when your 70yr old granny is expecting hook ups from the east side boys, my lord. i fear for the future of my non-existant children.
then on top of that(obviously she's a very heavy narcotic abuser), this woman is going into major DT's from ETOH, nicotine, lortab, valium, soma...etc and all we are able to give her is PRN 0.5 ativan q6. haven't doctors ever heard of WEANING someone off of these things?! she should have had some sort of rehab before going into LTC.
sorry...rant about my shift.
So-what do you have an armed guard at her door? Do you pull a cna or nurse to guard her? That's crazy-we have had situations with family and we have informed them that we can not stop anyone from coming in.With us it's usually an adult chuild not wanting "mother's ex husband to see her" or something of that sort. It looks like the poor soul needs detox in a hospital under the care of physicians that know HOW to treat her..If you think she is suffering why not call the department of health? You can do it anonymously and they will investigate...
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No. 5
from JB2007
Old Jan 26, 2009, 12:03 PM

Default Re: in LTC have you ever...
I have to agree with the OP you can not stop anyone from visiting a resident. However, if a vistor was endangering or upsetting the resident, other residents, or staff I can and will ask the person to leave the facility. If they do not leave I will call law enforcement.
Why would a doctor have someone detox in a nursing home? We do not have the staff to monitor someone that closely (at least where I work we do not). Some medications or substances when stopped suddenly can cause life threatening reactions.
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No. 6
from StNeotser
Old Jan 26, 2009, 12:06 PM

Default Re: in LTC have you ever...
Nope, first I've heard of it. I've had the children of LTC patients come in and rip their parents off for money for drugs, or come in under the influence. Never had a patient with that situation. Thanks for the info though - I'll be on the lookout. I'll bet you were thinking "Just when I thought I had seen it all......................"
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No. 7
from michelle126
Old Jan 26, 2009, 04:30 PM

Default Re: in LTC have you ever...
Unless it is a locked unit, you can't restrict visitors.
I've worked at a SNF before where my floor was the "drug" floor. Oye...I got my education!
I'm sorry, but illegal street drugs just don't mix well with the care we are giving. It was very easy to tell when someone was stoned or came back stoned. Eventually, we had this person take a drug test or two and then, they signed out AMA.

Treating pain is one thing, but snowing someone.....no. I'm not afraid to give all the prescibed narcotics to a person with a hx of drug abuse when they are in pain either.
If this lady was doing thru withdraw, then she needed more meds. Thank heavens most have gone thru that in the hospital since our docs would have no clue.
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No. 8
from gardenpartyy
Old Jan 26, 2009, 07:20 PM

Default Re: in LTC have you ever...
yeah her son came in cracked out when she was admitted. he kept saying things like, "thank ya'll! i'm gonna remember ya'll when i win the lottery!"

i guess medicare wont pay for detoxing in a hospital
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No. 9
from CapeCodMermaid
Old Jan 26, 2009, 08:31 PM

Default Re: in LTC have you ever...
Locked or not you CAN in fact limit visitors if they pose a threat to the residents or your STAFF. I've had to tell family members they weren't allowed in the building because they were drunk or high or intimidating my staff. I had a family member grab a staff member in the elevator. I barred him from the building. If he grabbed a staff member who could stand up for herself, he'd probably grab a defenseless little old person. I was careful...all the ducks in a row. I called the police and the ombudsman. It wasn't easy because the resident didn't know why her son stopped visiting (he refused to meet her in the lobby) but I was obligated to protect the other residents and staff.
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