What are some of the strangest situations you have gotten into in home health

Specialties Home Health

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What are some of the strangest wildest kookiest ect. situations you have found yourself in in the home health setting. I would love to hear your stories. I know in nursing school I would have never imagined or belived some of the situations I get into in patient's homes. Two come to my mind...

The first was an elderly diabetic gent we admitted for teaching. Talk about hygiene issues! His feet were in terrible shape and needed attention. He didn't have running water, so we got permission from a neighbor to run a garden hose over to provide him with some water untill other arrangements could be made (luckily it was summer).

The other was very sad. A middle aged lady that had sufferd a massive stroke - was in a persistant vegatative state. Mexican national, no green card, sent home with her daughter who tried her best to care for mom. Mom had a feeding tube, foley,contractres and never responded. Daughter did a good job mom never had decubs. At one visit (also in the summer) I happened to arrive just as the caregivers finished moms bath--- using a garden hose in the back yard. I was flabergasted. I recommended that they not bathe her outside in the yard. At the next visit I found that the whole family had moved lock stock and barrel. I don't have a clue where they went.

Three of us were assigned to go to "M's" house to get her up to the bathroom, let her smooke and give her a bath and get her back to bed. I was the biggest one of our gang -- and back then I was a size 10 -- my cohorts were tiny -- size 3 type gals.

Day one, we were supposed to walk right in, but when we looked in the front door, we thought there were 2 people in the bed in the living room. Not wanting to interrupt any "activity", we waited in the car for a few minutes -- the patient's dad came around the corner of the house and said something about how he hadn't heard us pull up -- and to "come on in". We went in and met the biggest woman I have ever seen! M was covered with open sores, only ambulated to the BR once a day -- when we took her there. (Her dad had a "newspaper funnel system" for her to use when we were not there (?! Never did figure that one out) She had been discharged from our local community hospital the day before because the nurses couldn't get her into the bathrooms at the hospital and it REQUIRED 3+ people to move her.

We only had an approximate weight of 700+ lbs -- but we were relatively sure it was accurate. Prior to discharge, the EMS squad filled with gas and drove to the truck scale on the edge of town. They came back to the hospital, filled with gas and drove back to the truck scale again -- this time with M inside. She was transferred from vehicle to house on a door (she had destroyed a gurney first round)-- carried by 6-8 hulking volunteer firemen.

So we were to ambulate her to the bathroom, let her smoke while she had a HUGE BM, bathe her, change the bed and get her back in it. An RN came out once a day -- after we had been there to attempt to dress and care for the blistery sores she had all over her body. We drew straws to see who would have to be in the bathroom with her -- that was torture! When we ambulated her across the living room, the whole house shook -- we were sure we would end up in the basement some day -- however, after I saw the piles of stuff in the basement ( floor to ceiling -- literally) I was relieved -- weren't going to fall far!! We were also awaiting the day when the toilet would explode and give her a power enema -- from her literally plopping herself on it -- never did THANK GOODNESS!

One day, as we did her bath, the gal who had short straw 2 was on her knees, washing the poor woman's crotch while the other two of us separated her thighs far enough so the task could actually be accomplished. "A" started laughing -- quietly, but uncontrolably... when we ased what was so funny, she replied "You guys, I'm stuck!" We pried the tighs apart and she got her arm out of the nether regions -- but then started cracking up again -- this time she gasped between giggles " I HAD a washcloth!" (None of us felt brave enough to go hunting for it at that point -- did get it out after we got her to bed)

Anyhoo... one day she was weaker than usual. We called our supervisor and explained that we didn't know if she would be able to ambulate -- and were told that that was why we were there -- so ambulate her! We made it to the bathroom -- stopping to rest about 4 times on the way. In spite of the extra work it was to bathe her in bed, that was our plan -- didn't want to risk having her fall -- our supervisor arrived just as we were coming back from the BR -- had rested 3 times already -- she jumped right in and said that M could do this! to get it done -- "enough lollygagging"... well, "M" fell within 4 feet of her bed (which was a "big boy bed" and the frame was bent!) As she started to fall she yelled "Girls, I'm goin' down!". The supervisor got both knees strained, M's knee landed on my L foot, and the other gals got back strain trying to lower her to the floor gently. No way we could get her up -- called the squad. 9 guys came, carried her out of the house on a door and took her to the hosp. A second squad was sent for us. We waited about an hour -- hoping M would not see us inthe ED when we all came in -- didn't want her to know we had been hurt. When our squad got there -- about 1/2 the staff was popping in and out of ER to see how we had faired.

Doc says I was lucky that whe was as obese as she was -- the huge amounts of fat actually surrounded my foot enough to avoid crushing it completely -- had a couple months of kryotherapy and wore a brace for a bit -- no long term issues though. She was admitted and died a couple of days later -- they say she was too heavy to breathe -- couldn't raise her chest -- and the heart just gave out!!

She was so large that she had to be dismembered to be cremated -- couldn't get her into the "oven -- or whatever you call it". Saddest thing -- she had gained 300 pounds within a year! MAJOR emotional trauma -- mom died of breast Ca, on the way to mom's funeral, M & her boyfriend were in a MVA -- he was decapitated and she was trapped in the vehicle for 3 hours before someone found them and got her out -- she was hoorifice from screamming so much. She truly was a delightful person -- tried to be cheerful, told great jokes, was intelligent and engaging, and yet -- so totally alone! Her dad was caring for her as well as he could, but he was poorly educated, illiterate, and traumatized himself.... just kept feeding her whatever she asked for to make her happy!:crying2:

I am forever greatful for friends who are open enough to tell me to quit eating, who are there for me when I need to talk, cry or vent! M has changed my life!! I will never again take family and friends for granted and will never judge another heavy person -- you NEVER know what lies beneath it all.

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Specializes in Acute post op ortho.

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you gotta love home care! I have ducked a bullet, been bitten, interupted drug deals, sat on a sofa soaked in urine(I never sit unless I HAVE TO now). Let's see, I was told that diabeties is contracted from blood transfusions(too much suger in the doners blood....duh we medical folks need to get a clue). A patient saved a stool sample for me by taping it to her bedrail, the drunk son of a patient practially attacked me in the front yard-I slamed my car door on his hand and got him pretty good in the eyes with pepper spray-he was not even mildly subdued. I almost ran over him when I left. A patient was picking her nose while I was preparing a wound dressing, when I approched her she smeared a massive booger on my hand. A man was attempting to pee in a urinal, missed & peed in my shoe. I had a midget I was caring for that needed to go to the bathroom & wanted to walk to the toilet, so as I held her from behind, she droped a massive turd on my foot(new shoes, naturally). I could go on for days, mostly because I type slow!............ozoneranger

Boy have I been waiting on this thread! Would you guys like the whole list or the top five?

1.) I had to remove maggots from a diabetic man's foot wound/amputation site. He had been home from the hospital less than 24 hours.

2.) I was chased from a patient's front porch by their family pet. A HOG! Not a pot bellied pig! A true HOG! Turns out the porch was his domain and he didn't like me standing on it. I could be in the house or in the yard, but NOT on the porch!

3.) I was met at the front door of a sweet elderly lady by two sheriff's deputies who informed me I would not be entering on this particular day. Her grand son was running a drug operation from the bedroom he had in her home. Nothing like a drug bust to jump start your morning!

4.) A patient who swore he was home bound and required an aide due to his incredible weakness was caught lifting and carrying full 50 gallon water bottles from his front door to his kitchen withut breaking a sweat.

5.) My favorite !!! I was faced with dealing with a loaded gun when I interrupted a suicide in progress.

Thank god for CRAZY people or we'd have no nurses! Thank God for CRAZY nurses or we'd be without home care! :rotfl:

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Specializes in Home Health.

Missmercy, thanks for sharing that story. I was laughing my orifice off til I read about her trauma, then I started to get teary-eyed, how very sad. It is true, you never do know what a person has been through. That poor woman.

bsnrnoh, lmao, I agree, those vitamins didn't seem to do him any good!

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Specializes in Home Health.

Missmercy, thanks for sharing that story. I was laughing my orifice off til I read about her trauma, then I started to get teary-eyed, how very sad. It is true, you never do know what a person has been through. That poor woman.

bsnrnoh, lmao, I agree, those vitamins didn't seem to do him any good!

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Just a little side bar about "M" my rather large patient -- she was always a very jovial gal, cracking jokes constantly -- as a totally inexperienced aide, I was amazed at how great her outlook on life was -- and overwhelmed at her ability to joke about stuff! After a bit of education, found out that she was actually in a great deal of emotional pain and was merely masking it for our benefit. I remember her telling us once that we were some of the best friends that she had ever had -- she was probably right. We loved her and were willing to do whatever we needed to do for her! But we were totally unaware of her REAL needs -- her deep hurts and her profound lonleiness. I am just glad we could make a couple of hours everyday pleasant! She was a remarkable gal!

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Just a little side bar about "M" my rather large patient -- she was always a very jovial gal, cracking jokes constantly -- as a totally inexperienced aide, I was amazed at how great her outlook on life was -- and overwhelmed at her ability to joke about stuff! After a bit of education, found out that she was actually in a great deal of emotional pain and was merely masking it for our benefit. I remember her telling us once that we were some of the best friends that she had ever had -- she was probably right. We loved her and were willing to do whatever we needed to do for her! But we were totally unaware of her REAL needs -- her deep hurts and her profound lonleiness. I am just glad we could make a couple of hours everyday pleasant! She was a remarkable gal!

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Specializes in pediatrics.

Well I did worked as a community health nurse in NYC for 51/2 years where do I start....

Going into the building already armed with news paper in hand to stand on as the elevator fllor is usually covered in urine .... no need today the blood on the floor is already dry.....caught me though on the way back....someone had peed all over the dried blood.

Or that transvestite patient who no one warned me about......interesting when he decided to open up the his kimono and flash me with some rather interesting peircings.

The really neat part though was that even though I worked in some of the most crime ridden areas I had the protection afforded "the Nurse" No one touched my car and the drug dealers on the corner looked out for me... after all I was the one dressing their mother's wound inside. They repected me by suspending trade while I was passing by.

The Voodooo high priestess who had me do weekly prepours at the "alter" just so the meds would be more potent and heal her grand daughter from AIDS.

The grandmother who still used a chamber pot kept at the side of the bed

The young AIDS patient who died only after completing the credits for graduating from high school because it was her goal in life to be the first one in her family to earn a high school diploma...her diploma was awarded post humously.

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Specializes in pediatrics.

Well I did worked as a community health nurse in NYC for 51/2 years where do I start....

Going into the building already armed with news paper in hand to stand on as the elevator fllor is usually covered in urine .... no need today the blood on the floor is already dry.....caught me though on the way back....someone had peed all over the dried blood.

Or that transvestite patient who no one warned me about......interesting when he decided to open up the his kimono and flash me with some rather interesting peircings.

The really neat part though was that even though I worked in some of the most crime ridden areas I had the protection afforded "the Nurse" No one touched my car and the drug dealers on the corner looked out for me... after all I was the one dressing their mother's wound inside. They repected me by suspending trade while I was passing by.

The Voodooo high priestess who had me do weekly prepours at the "alter" just so the meds would be more potent and heal her grand daughter from AIDS.

The grandmother who still used a chamber pot kept at the side of the bed

The young AIDS patient who died only after completing the credits for graduating from high school because it was her goal in life to be the first one in her family to earn a high school diploma...her diploma was awarded post humously.

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Specializes in Med-surg > LTC > HH >.
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:rotfl: :crying2: Oh my goodness I don't know if I should :rotfl: or:crying2: . That is some sreiosly funny stuff, but makes me glad my short career so far in HH has been for the most part boring.:rotfl:
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Specializes in Med-surg > LTC > HH >.
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:rotfl: :crying2: Oh my goodness I don't know if I should :rotfl: or:crying2: . That is some sreiosly funny stuff, but makes me glad my short career so far in HH has been for the most part boring.:rotfl:
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Specializes in Med-surg > LTC > HH >.
Boy have I been waiting on this thread! Would you guys like the whole list or the top five?

1.) I had to remove maggots from a diabetic man's foot wound/amputation site. He had been home from the hospital less than 24 hours.

2.) I was chased from a patient's front porch by their family pet. A HOG! Not a pot bellied pig! A true HOG! Turns out the porch was his domain and he didn't like me standing on it. I could be in the house or in the yard, but NOT on the porch!

3.) I was met at the front door of a sweet elderly lady by two sheriff's deputies who informed me I would not be entering on this particular day. Her grand son was running a drug operation from the bedroom he had in her home. Nothing like a drug bust to jump start your morning!

4.) A patient who swore he was home bound and required an aide due to his incredible weakness was caught lifting and carrying full 50 gallon water bottles from his front door to his kitchen withut breaking a sweat.

5.) My favorite !!! I was faced with dealing with a loaded gun when I interrupted a suicide in progress.

Thank god for CRAZY people or we'd have no nurses! Thank God for CRAZY nurses or we'd be without home care! :rotfl:

The above post by me is refering to this funny set of pts.:rotfl: :rotfl: I'm so computer illiterate. Hairstylingnurse
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Specializes in Med-surg > LTC > HH >.
Boy have I been waiting on this thread! Would you guys like the whole list or the top five?

1.) I had to remove maggots from a diabetic man's foot wound/amputation site. He had been home from the hospital less than 24 hours.

2.) I was chased from a patient's front porch by their family pet. A HOG! Not a pot bellied pig! A true HOG! Turns out the porch was his domain and he didn't like me standing on it. I could be in the house or in the yard, but NOT on the porch!

3.) I was met at the front door of a sweet elderly lady by two sheriff's deputies who informed me I would not be entering on this particular day. Her grand son was running a drug operation from the bedroom he had in her home. Nothing like a drug bust to jump start your morning!

4.) A patient who swore he was home bound and required an aide due to his incredible weakness was caught lifting and carrying full 50 gallon water bottles from his front door to his kitchen withut breaking a sweat.

5.) My favorite !!! I was faced with dealing with a loaded gun when I interrupted a suicide in progress.

Thank god for CRAZY people or we'd have no nurses! Thank God for CRAZY nurses or we'd be without home care! :rotfl:

The above post by me is refering to this funny set of pts.:rotfl: :rotfl: I'm so computer illiterate. Hairstylingnurse
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