Random thoughts after a loved ones admission

Nurses Relations

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Specializes in Gerontology.

So after spending 6 days at my Dad's bedside for an admission with I pneumonia that led to a transfer to CCU and several very worrisome days, I do have a few random thoughts after being on this side of care

.1,Telling people your name is important. It helps to know who to ask for when you need something.

Saying when you will be back is also very helpful.if a know the nurse will be apnack at 13:00 I won't call for her for something at 12:50

3.Speaking slowly and clearly to a hard of hearing person is important.

4. Phrase questions carefully. As my Dad was transferred from CCU to a regular bed, a nurse looked at him and said Knee replacements? And I said no pneumonia. She then said I know that, but is his history knee replacements or amputations? It just fled rude. If she had said " can you please clarify" she would have gotten the same info.

5. Hospital and Xmas Do,not mix, but we all knew that

!Sorry for the poor formatting!

Have to add, the nursing care has been phenomial and I could not have asked for better. And to nurse Dad groped, I'm sorry!

Specializes in ED; Med Surg.

I hope your Dad is better!

I hear you though. It is so hard to not be a nurse when it is your loved one lying in the bed.

My Dad broke his neck and was in rehab in a huge hospital. I flew down to see him after he had been there a couple of weeks...kind of horrified to see him with a c-collar and trach, and he hadn't been shaved in days. His hair was matted and his nails were long and dirty. I didn't throw a fit, I simply did it myself -- I then wrote on the white board "please shave me regularly" and whatever else I thought he needed.

After I came home, I tried to (and still do) do the "little things" that make being in a hospital easier. Not always possible but I try.

Specializes in private duty/home health, med/surg.

Sorry to hear about your father. I hope he's better soon.

Thank you for the reminders. I try to acknowledge patients that are hospitalized around the holidays & birthdays -- I want them to know I realize that this is may be an extra difficult time to be hospitalized.

So after spending 6 days at my Dad's bedside for an admission with I pneumonia that led to a transfer to CCU and several very worrisome days, I do have a few random thoughts after being on this side of care

.1,Telling people your name is important. It helps to know who to ask for when you need something.

Saying when you will be back is also very helpful.if a know the nurse will be apnack at 13:00 I won't call for her for something at 12:50

3.Speaking slowly and clearly to a hard of hearing person is important.

4. Phrase questions carefully. As my Dad was transferred from CCU to a regular bed, a nurse looked at him and said Knee replacements? And I said no pneumonia. She then said I know that, but is his history knee replacements or amputations? It just fled rude. If she had said " can you please clarify" she would have gotten the same info.

5. Hospital and Xmas Do,not mix, but we all knew that

!Sorry for the poor formatting!

Have to add, the nursing care has been phenomial and I could not have asked for better. And to nurse Dad groped, I'm sorry!

If I tell you I'm coming back at 1300 and you need something at 1250, go ahead and call. Let me know what you need so I can bring it when I come instead of waiting till I get there, then I have to leave and go get whatever it is you need.

If I tell you what time I'm coming back, its probably not going to be accurate. Things come up and frankly, I have no idea what time exactly I will be returning. I can usually give a ballpark figure but that's about it.

Hospital and xmas do not mix? Huh? Can you clarify?

Specializes in Gerontology.
If I tell you I'm coming back at 1300 and you need something at 1250, go ahead and call. Let me know what you need so I can bring it when I come instead of waiting till I get there, then I have to leave and go get whatever it is you If I tell you what time I'm coming back, its probably not going to be accurate. Things come up and frankly, I have no idea what time exactly I will be returning. I can usually give a ballpark figure but that's about it. Hospital and xmas do not mix? Huh? Can you clarify?
I mean if I know the nurse is coming back soon, it's easier to wait for help back to bed or to get an answer to a question, rather than taking her away mid-task with someone else.mAnd spending Xmas in the hospital is very depressing.
Specializes in Emergency Department; Neonatal ICU.

I hope your dad feels better soon. I'm glad he had good nursing care. Another thing I like to do with family in the ED is ask the family member their name, at least with sicker patients where a lot is going on quickly. Gives me a point person and I usually explain what I'm doing as much as I can. Sounds obvious but it's easy to overlook.

I hope your dad is better, Pepper the Cat!

When my dad was in the hospital (I worked at the same), it was surreal and frightening. Not at all a pleasant experience, except the nurses, CNA's, ancillary staff, and docs were great to him. That helped very much.

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