Melina

Melina specializes in home health, neuro, palliative care.

Latest Activity

1. Blood clots & IV/central line tubing...When does this become a hazard!?

   Melina replied to RN A's topic in Safety

   This case didn't even involve a central line or drawing blood for lab tests, and no medical professionals were found to be culpable.

2. UCH Pharm and Tele new hire exam

   Melina replied to JuLeSx7d7's topic in Colorado

   If you want to try out a Prophecy test, Mightynurse.com offers access to a free exam. You can take any of the competencies. Melina

3. Family/Individual across the Lifespan CNS?

   Melina replied to mursej's topic in CNS

   This is already being implemented as part of the APRN Consensus model. The move is to a population-focus instead of setting-focus. For instance, the acute/critical care CNS program I am in is now an adult-gero CNS program, and we are expected to mana...

4. Nurses Talk To Nurses. Doctors Talk To Doctors

   Melina replied to madwife2002's topic in General Nursing

   I love this thread! The LTACH where I work has a lot of the issues you all speak of. I am planning on taking on this issue for my master's comps. I was inspired by the reports by the ACCN (Relevant Research) about reducing medical errors by speaking ...

5. To clamp or not to clamp

   Melina replied to FLGAZRN's topic in Critical

   I was wondering the same thing on my last shift! It wasn't covered in our policy, so I looked it up. Depending on the manufacturer, some end caps do not require clamping to function. Clamping between uses is recommended, though, because the end caps ...

6. Please help with a difficult ostomy

   Melina replied to nabelia's topic in Wound

   Have you tried Cymed? They have a novel, appliance that adheres to the skin with a tegaderm-type material. Because it is so thin, stool cant easily leak underneath. You can see them at http://www.cymedostomy.com/what.html. The company is very generou...

7. ECHMO game?

   Melina replied to jakira's topic in General Nursing

   I found this: ECMOjo Simulator and Trainer - Home by searching "ECMO simulator." Not sure if it is the one you are looking for, but it's kinda cool.

8. Chafing

   Melina replied to dariah's topic in Stress 101

   There are many anti-chafing lotions on the market. I've never tried the lanacane brand, but a lot of althetes use Bodyglide. There is also a product called Luvees (http://www.luvees.com) that might be worth trying. Good luck.

9. BP arm VS calf while running pressors

   Melina replied to anarchy187's topic in MICU

   A calf BP can be significantly higher due to calcification of the lower extremity arteries. We see this all the time when taking ABIs for wound assessment. I would be hesitant to to use this to take a patient off pressors. I'm interested as well to h...

10. Calling all current cns students

    Melina replied to nicolein's topic in CNS

    I'm currently enrolled in University of Cincinnati's online CNS program, but I am transferring to CU Denver this Fall. Nice to connect with you all.

11. Please help pt with leaking colostomy

    Melina replied to ditchdoc's topic in Wound

    Have you tried switching brands? Cymed makes an excellent product that uses a transparent film instead of a hydrocolloid wafer. I've used it with great success on several occasions.

12. Memorial Day weekend night shift - canceled w/only 4hr notice?!

    Melina replied to itri4vt's topic in Home Health

    I have worked intake, and I can tell you that we would often not get d/c notices until after 5pm the evening of discharge, especially on the weekend. There would be know way to let you know by Friday. As for whether you get paid for cancelled shifts,...

13. Wound Vac Tips and MRSA sterile dressing

    Melina replied to garciadiego's topic in Wound

    As long as the infection is being treated a wound vac is appropriate. Silver foam seems more reasonable than sterile technique. You can always call and ask the doc for his or her rationale. Melina

14. LPN's...how's HH working for you?

    Melina replied to peacetou's topic in Home Health

    No caseload? How many nurses will see a single pt? I've never heard of this either. Is there any issue with continuity of care? Mel

15. homesolutions.net/sansio charting, scantron charting

    Melina replied to hhrnohio's topic in Home Health

    I chart vitals and make notes of anything exceptional with a pen (a fine tipped TUL gel pen, in fact) in the pt's home then bubble everything after the visit, usually in my car before I leave for the next pt. That's where I write a visit note as well...