Have you ever wished that you had a recording device on you during work so you could prove to others that some of the things that happened during your shift did happen? I had one of those moments recently -
Patient's Spouse: "He is running low on his one med. What do I do?"
Me: Does the bottle say there are refills left?
PS: No, there aren't. So what do I do?
Me: You need to inform the doctor who prescribed that medication. We don't refill meds, your doctor's office will have to do that. (Sidenote: short-term skilled home care, client is about to be discharged and these folks must learn to be more independent in the community! They are perfectly capable, but not willing)
PS: Oh. Well, it's is Fyorsit.
Me: I...don't see Fioricet on his medication list. Does he get migraines often?
PS: No, this is his one heart pill. Fyorsith (yes, pronounced differently)
Me: *crickets chirp* Furosemide? That's Lasix, a diuretic. But that's not on his list, either.
PS: NO, IT'S RED!
Me: I'm sorry ma'am but I don't know which of his pills are red.
PS: It's the only red pill he has!
Me: Okay, can you please go get the bottle.
PS: .......
Me: If you get the bottle we can figure out which medicine you mean.
PS: .....
Me: .....
PS: Fyorsin (yes, a third pronunciation) F-E-R-R-O-U-S S-U-L-F-A-T-E. Like I told you. (yes, she is literate).
Me: *banging head on every available surface* Okay, that's his iron supplement. The doctor will need to either re-order it from the pharmacy or tell you to buy it over the counter.
PS: So what do I do, he's running out of them?
***Waves white flag***
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Have you ever wished that you had a recording device on you during work so you could prove to others that some of the things that happened during your shift did happen? I had one of those moments recently -
Patient's Spouse: "He is running low on his one med. What do I do?"
Me: Does the bottle say there are refills left?
PS: No, there aren't. So what do I do?
Me: You need to inform the doctor who prescribed that medication. We don't refill meds, your doctor's office will have to do that. (Sidenote: short-term skilled home care, client is about to be discharged and these folks must learn to be more independent in the community! They are perfectly capable, but not willing)
PS: Oh. Well, it's is Fyorsit.
Me: I...don't see Fioricet on his medication list. Does he get migraines often?
PS: No, this is his one heart pill. Fyorsith (yes, pronounced differently)
Me: *crickets chirp* Furosemide? That's Lasix, a diuretic. But that's not on his list, either.
PS: NO, IT'S RED!
Me: I'm sorry ma'am but I don't know which of his pills are red.
PS: It's the only red pill he has!
Me: Okay, can you please go get the bottle.
PS: .......
Me: If you get the bottle we can figure out which medicine you mean.
PS: .....
Me: .....
PS: Fyorsin (yes, a third pronunciation) F-E-R-R-O-U-S S-U-L-F-A-T-E. Like I told you. (yes, she is literate).
Me: *banging head on every available surface* Okay, that's his iron supplement. The doctor will need to either re-order it from the pharmacy or tell you to buy it over the counter.
PS: So what do I do, he's running out of them?
***Waves white flag***