NCPIE: Educate Before You Medicate

This is so TRUE! I come from over 25 years working in the ED, ICU and PACU and spend most of my time educating the sweet LOLs about "that little white pill" they take every morning. If we only took the time before discharge from the Med/Surg floor, these darlings wouldn't come in Dig toxic! I've found through the years too that our patients are becoming more consumer savvy and want to learn about their bodies. Mostly I have to simplify, so I compare the heart to the electrical and plumbing system, orthopedics to the carpentry. They don't find it offensive; in fact, most people "get it" and are more compliant with their care. I further teach what the effects will have on all their body parts. And please, please, teach all the gals going home on ATBs to eat Yogurt. We have so many bounce back yeast infections!
Try it! It's fun.