digital stimulation, any suggestions

ktwlpn, LPN · Jul 29, 2004

Personally, I would think he's getting some kind of gratification out of it if he wants it done for an hour at a time. Red flags are going up all over the place on this one. As I said - anyone who can use a mirror has control of their fingers and can do this themselves.

I believe that the OP mentioned another patient was the one that held a mirror to observe during this procedure-not the subject of this thread.....This kind of patient is a chellenge in LTC-especially when they are alert and oriented and surrounded by the elderly and the demented....Maybe a search on some rehab forums will help the OP understand and better come to terms with why this is so important to the patient's well-being....Nothing will increase the "fun" factor I am afraid...Dixie on Emergency never had to do this...hmp :rolleyes:

redwinggirlie · Jul 29, 2004

I do dig stim for a quad. I go in and out with one finger, when it loosens, I continue to go in and almost all the way out. When it tightens, I exit. We do this until we get results and then when the glove is clean three times in a row, we quit. Each stim is never longer than 45 seconds. We repeat each stim in five minute intervals. I'm never inside for long....... an hour? Silly......

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jul 29, 2004

had a sci patient develop autonomic dysreflexia at 9:30 pm on a firday night while working perdiem in a snf---all because he refused his enemas x 2 nights. "patients rights".

fast response by resident covering unit, treated him with sl nifedipine, then disempaction. he never refused again

what is "autonomic dysreflexia?"

http://www.sci-info-pages.com/ad.html

spinal cord injury bowel management / program information

http://www.sci-info-pages.com/bowel.html

when spinal cord injury affects the bowel

originally posted february 2000

by gail a. bryant, rn, msn, crrn

neurogenic bowel is a frequent problem for patients with spinal cord injury. with planning and care, however, you can help them regain control over their bowel function. here's how.

this article is approved for 2.0 ancc/aacn contact hours.

after reading it you should be able to:

1. compare and contrast reflexic and areflexic neurogenic bowel.

2. describe key elements of a bowel management program.

3. evaluate the need for modification of a bowel program.

http://www.rnweb.com/be_core/mvc?action=free_ pages&mag=r&name=ce0200_spinal.xml

nih guidleines:acute management of autonomic dysreflexia: individuals with spinal cord injury presenting to health-care facilities.

http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=2964

there for a long while thought this would be engraved on my tombstone:

have glove and lubricant, willing to travel.... :coollook:

:chuckle

harley_fan · Jul 30, 2004

I had to do this when I floated to another unit. I have never done this before and it isn't the most pleasant!!! I had to perform this on a younger quad pt and she could feel it. Something that shocked me!! I had asked another nurse on what to do and when I went in there the patient had told me that I needed to go in "bigger" circles. Very interesting to say the least.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2004

... patient had told me that I needed to go in "bigger" circles...

So are circular sweeps most effective DS?

kar212 · Aug 1, 2004

If there is one thing that makes me mad it's when a patient asks to be 'dug' out, or as I call it, 'dig-dug'. Like I went to school so I could stick my finger up someone's gazoo!:chair:

leslie :-D · Aug 1, 2004

If there is one thing that makes me mad it's when a patient asks to be 'dug' out, or as I call it, 'dig-dug'. Like I went to school so I could stick my finger up someone's gazoo!:chair:

:imbar :imbar :imbar

would you do a digital to see if there was even stool in the rectal vault?

and fyi, yes, you DID go to school to treat the whole patient.

kar212 · Aug 1, 2004

:imbar :imbar :imbar
would you do a digital to see if there was even stool in the rectal vault?
and fyi, yes, you DID go to school to treat the whole patient.

FYI, I only would do it if I had to. I have done it before, but it's NOT a favorite part of my job. Have you ever had to do it?

leslie :-D · Aug 1, 2004

FYI, I only would do it if I had to. I have done it before, but it's NOT a favorite part of my job. Have you ever had to do it?

it's no one's favorite part of the job.

and YES, i've done it dozens of times.

ktwlpn, LPN · Aug 1, 2004

:

If there is one thing that makes me mad it's when a patient asks to be 'dug' out, or as I call it, 'dig-dug'. Like I went to school so I could stick my finger up someone's gazoo!:chair:

:rotfl: Actually,you did! :rotfl: I can tell you that I have had a problem-I was on ms contin after a pretty major accident for about 3 and a half weeks...I was up to 6 peri-colace a day and still-NOTHING....I was so SICK by the time my husband brought home the mag citrate that I could not keep it down...so I did the deed myself to myself...Let me tell you honey-what a RELIEF!!!! I have had numerous inpacted patients both in acute and long term care and after the battle is won they are so grateful...It's a nasty task but one that gives immediate relief........

kar212 · Aug 1, 2004

: :rotfl: Actually,you did! :rotfl: I can tell you that I have had a problem-I was on ms contin after a pretty major accident for about 3 and a half weeks...I was up to 6 peri-colace a day and still-NOTHING....I was so SICK by the time my husband brought home the mag citrate that I could not keep it down...so I did the deed myself to myself...Let me tell you honey-what a RELIEF!!!! I have had numerous inpacted patients both in acute and long term care and after the battle is won they are so grateful...It's a nasty task but one that gives immediate relief........

I'll take note of that! Sorry you had such an awful experience!:uhoh21:

tfothLPN · Aug 3, 2004

No, I agree with everyone else. Why so long? That seems like a lot of over stimulation and not very professional. Not mentioning taking up way too much of your valuable time. As if that is all we have to do in that hours time. Right?