enemas and nurses

[makes needs known]

We have a new policy in our LTC/rehab facility that states the nurse is now responsible for giving the enemas. Apparently there was an incident where a elderly, confused lady was due for an enema. She resisted and sustained a fractured arm. I don't know all the details but now our policy from management is that the nurse gives the enema. What is next? Who wants an enema???? They can refuse. And it sounds like this lady refused, you don't have to be the nurse to make that judgement. Resident rights is something that all employees should be aware of.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Hmmm....guessing you're not a nurse?

Hmmm....guessing you're not a psychic?

[indigonurse]

I would imagine if a pt. sustained an injury as serious as a fracture that the facility has no choice but to look at what caused the problem and to come up with a plan to make sure that never happens again. In my many years of experience, all the places I had worked at for the same reason had licensed nurses admin. enemas, giving glycerin suppositories, digging out impactions.

[LJ85, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN]

As far as I know that's always been the sop in NJ. I personally don't think aides should be giving them. I was a cna before I became a nurse and I don't believe there us enough training for that being that it is a medication. I don't even think I'd want an aide taking my vs just because vie seen a lot of carelessness, not to say nurses aren't careless but I think the resposibility factor goes up when you are a nurse.