So What Does The Inside of Your Car Look Like?

Specialties Home Health

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

i've decided since the weather is nice today i'm going to clean out my truck. you fellow hh nurses know only too well that we drag an entire supply room around with us everywhere we go. i got to thinking "gee i really never use any of that stuff". when i get my assignment i know ahead of time what to grab, i do so and charge it. i think i'll go down to the bear minimum. a few dressing supplies, a cath or two, and extra cath bag or two, fleets enema, enema bag, a couple of blood draw kits, tubes and urine cups.

do tell... how do you handle all the supplies? do you actually use them?

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Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.

Good Post Dutchy,

I carry the least amount of supplies I can.

Don't carry a thing that is heat/ cold sensitive.

So my 'stash' usually consists of a few minor dressing supplies.

Maybe a pack of Adult incontinence wear, few hospital gowns and a few under pads.

I am a neat freak so all my stuff is in containers in the back neatly organized :lol2:

Clean box, biohazard box yadda yadda yadda:rolleyes:

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
good post dutchy,

i carry the least amount of supplies i can.

don't carry a thing that is heat/ cold sensitive.

so my 'stash' usually consists of a few minor dressing supplies.

maybe a pack of adult incontinence wear, few hospital gowns and a few under pads.

i am a neat freak so all my stuff is in containers in the back neatly organized.

clean box, biohazard box yadda yadda yadda

interesting sabby!

i don't think i've ever had the need for incontinent supplies, underpads and hospital gowns. i understand the first two (i haven't used them because the incontinent patients always have their own abundant supply) but why hospital gowns in hh?

my stuff is in containers also. i have 2 large containers in the space behind the seats in the cab of my truck. with such limited room in my truck, whenever i have my own stuff to deal with it always ends up piling up on top of the containers so that it appears that the entire space is simply piled up to the top with coats, umbrella's, cans of soda, paperwork, etc...sometimes i wish i had a car with a trunk to keep my supplies in but then i remember my truck has no payments. nothing rides better than no payments. especially now with hubbys laid off.

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Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.
interesting sabby!

i don't think i've ever had the need for incontinent supplies, underpads and hospital gowns. i understand the first two (i haven't used them because the incontinent patients always have their own abundant supply) but why hospital gowns in hh?

my stuff is in containers also. i have 2 large containers in the space behind the seats in the cab of my truck. with such limited room in my truck, whenever i have my own stuff to deal with it always ends up piling up on top of the containers so that it appears that the entire space is simply piled up to the top with coats, umbrella's, cans of soda, paperwork, etc...sometimes i wish i had a car with a trunk to keep my supplies in but then i remember my truck has no payments. nothing rides better than no payments. especially now with hubbys laid off.

remember sweet lady i work hospice and hospital gowns are so much easier for the family to deal with in an actively dying patient.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
remember sweet lady i work hospice and hospital gowns are so much easier for the family to deal with in an actively dying patient.

ya know what sabby...i don't think i knew you worked hospice. i know lovely leslie does. maybe i did know. my brain has not been functioning at 100% lately but thanks for the explanation i was wondering and that makes perfect sense.

i suppose all of us other hh nurses are sleeping in this morning! enjoy your day girlie :redbeathe

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Specializes in LTC/hospital, home health (VNA).

I have a large plastic storage container in which I have separated items into separate bags -IV stuff, catheter stuff, wound stuff, etc. Each time I think I should try to pare down...I run into that weird situation where I need to raid my box or it would have meant a trip into the office. So...I just keep my box in my trunk and tell myself I am being prepared! But the inside of my car....well let's just say that I keep a blanket on the backseat to cover up a mound of stuff so large it could be mistaken for a body!!!

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
but the inside of my car....well let's just say that i keep a blanket on the backseat to cover up a mound of stuff so large it could be mistaken for a body!!!

:omy: oh my....i do understand that. i had forgotten that is why i decided that a truck was better for me. i am definately "organizationally challenged". i do a really good job with my truck but then again it's all behind the seats. i'm sure people wonder.

[color=#a0522d]at work (inside the outpatient center) i'm a neat and organization freak. it's like dr. jekyl and mr. hyde the difference between me organizationally between my work and home. :rolleyes:

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LOL! Hi ladies. I am soon to be a HHN by next week. I suppose it woun't be long before I struggle with the "dead body" in the back seat of my car. Along with all the kid's stuff that finds a new home in the back seat as well.

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.
lol! hi ladies. i am soon to be a hhn by next week. i suppose it woun't be long before i struggle with the "dead body" in the back seat of my car. along with all the kid's stuff that finds a new home in the back seat as well.

welcome to hh. let the fun begin! ;)

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Specializes in LTC/hospital, home health (VNA).

The front seat also doubles for a desk and lunch table. I always feel bad when a student rides along with me..I am always asking them to hold things for me. I did finally clean up the back seat..it is now the size of just a small person :bugeyes: Welcome aboard PD - you'll love it!

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.
the front seat also doubles for a desk and lunch table. i always feel bad when a student rides along with me..i am always asking them to hold things for me. i did finally clean up the back seat..it is now the size of just a small person :bugeyes: welcome aboard pd - you'll love it!

i drive a tercel, and every inch except the driver's seat is crammed! in addition to all my hh supplies, i still carry a fully loaded emt jump bag (from a previous occ med job--legit gift!!) and enough to do a cath and ostomy in the boonies if i had too!!:rolleyes:

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I tried I honestly tried to work for Hospice. The equation I find too heartbreaking is this Hospice + the DEEP SOUTh = catastophe. the pay cut nurses and HHa are required to take (Starts out 9.00 an hour for experienced workers here is humiliating enough, why do I need money? I am supposed to be doing this CALLING this MISSION Hogwash, hooey, I am so jaded at three months OTJ trained by hostile hospice personell i almost caved in and study elder law on the side now, I do still work at a real hospital. Thank God for unions. and the west coast where its not all backwoods and backwards. I'd be better off working at a fast food joint, at least you get lunch there , and you are allowed to call the police when threatened! Do ya want fries with that enema dearie?

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