Fleas!

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 31, 2015

Leave. I wouldn't stay on the case but that's just me.

Of course tell the family & case manager. Hopefully it will be resolved.

smartypants22, LVN · Jul 31, 2015

I can't leave this case. Fortunately the patient has not gotten bit from what I can see. Since the little girl has nurses 24/7, all the nurses have gotten bit.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2015

What do you mean you can't leave the case? It's an infection control and staff safety issue.

When I worked Home Care, I did an admission in a trailer park that was so disgusting it should have been burned to the ground and sowed with salt.

Lest you think I'm just a Special Snowflake, here's what I walked into:

1. The walls looked like they were moving, there were so many roaches.

2. There were roaches crawling in and out of food bags on the table and the cook wear on the stove.

3. The patient's BGM didn't work, so I took off the back to check the batteries. You guessed it, roaches.

4. Have you ever tried to sit without actually touching the surface of a chair? I did.

5. To make things even more interesting, every few minutes, the woman would lean over and puke into the garbage can, saying "Es la cucarachas" by way of explanation.

It was my first call of the day. I stripped in the laundry room, dumped my clothes in the wash and used hot water, washed my shoes, showered and washed my hair. Then I called my supervisor and told her the story.

She called the patient's doctor, and explained that it was a health hazard and we would not be taking the patient. End of story.

Purple_roses · Jul 31, 2015

Well, if you can't leave the case, then you should talk to the owner of the home about getting medicine for the cats as well as flea bombing the entire house and washing any clothes/material that may have fleas on them in hot water. You should also wash all of your own scrubs/clothes/blankets/car--everything that may have a nasty little flea on it.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 31, 2015

I can't leave this case. Fortunately the patient has not gotten bit from what I can see. Since the little girl has nurses 24/7, all the nurses have gotten bit.

You should be able to leave the case. I don't know any PDN agency that isn't to place nurses on other cases. It's a health issue, if the family doesn't get rid of the fleas you have to determine what is more important.

JoseQuinones · Jul 31, 2015

Jensmom7, here is the video for you!

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 31, 2015

This is a health & safety issue especially with a trached toddler on GT feeds. New grads should NEVER be put on toddlers with trachs. You don't know what you don't know. Fleas do carry disease and risk of infection. (Not as much as ticks and Mosquitos). If your office won't step up then an anonymous call to cps for a welfare check or the health department may take care of the infestation. Bring nothing into the home. You risk infesting your supplies, car, home, family, clothes.

SDALPN · Jul 31, 2015

It would be great if you could explain why you can't leave the case.

As others said, report them and get out. You are a mandatory reporter.

SDALPN · Jul 31, 2015

What do you mean you can't leave the case? It's an infection control and staff safety issue.
When I worked Home Care, I did an admission in a trailer park that was so disgusting it should have been burned to the ground and sowed with salt.
Lest you think I'm just a Special Snowflake, here's what I walked into:
1. The walls looked like they were moving, there were so many roaches.
2. There were roaches crawling in and out of food bags on the table and the cook wear on the stove.
3. The patient's BGM didn't work, so I took off the back to check the batteries. You guessed it, roaches.
4. Have you ever tried to sit without actually touching the surface of a chair? I did.
5. To make things even more interesting, every few minutes, the woman would lean over and puke into the garbage can, saying "Es la cucarachas" by way of explanation.
It was my first call of the day. I stripped in the laundry room, dumped my clothes in the wash and used hot water, washed my shoes, showered and washed my hair. Then I called my supervisor and told her the story.
She called the patient's doctor, and explained that it was a health hazard and we would not be taking the patient. End of story.

What does it have to do with being in a trailer park? I've been in spotless trailers in trailer parks. I've been in the nastiest homes in the best parts of town. Please don't judge. A trailer might be the best a family can do. Or they could be saving a ton of money so they can buy a nice home and retire sooner than you or me. Maybe their nice home burned down and it is temporary housing until insurance finishes taking its sweet time.

And yes, I've been in those homes. I don't return. Some agencies will still take those cases.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2015

What does it have to do with being in a trailer park? I've been in spotless trailers in trailer parks. I've been in the nastiest homes in the best parts of town. Please don't judge. A trailer might be the best a family can do. Or they could be saving a ton of money so they can buy a nice home and retire sooner than you or me. Maybe their nice home burned down and it is temporary housing until insurance finishes taking its sweet time.
And yes, I've been in those homes. I don't return. Some agencies will still take those cases.

This one was shady to begin with (8 decrepit trailers grouped together behind a fence), it had no name, there was garbage strewn about everywhere, lots of skinny dogs rooting through said garbage, occupants literally ran and hid as I walked through to the one I needed to visit. It had an undocumented alien feel about it. None of these people were saving up money to move into a nice house somewhere.

Quite frankly, you came across as condescending and rude. The "Don't judge" speech is trite and overworked. It also makes it about you and your delicate sensibilities instead of where it belongs, with an OP who is facing a dilemma.

I've been in beautiful trailer parks. I've been in mediocre ones. I've been in beautiful homes that were inhabited by a hoarder. I've been in "economically disadvantaged" homes that were spotless. That wasn't my point.

OP was saying that she wasn't able to leave a case that was a health hazard for the staff. My example was to show her that yes, she can. I outlined a clearly hazardous situation and pointed out that there is a solution. That's all.

DarkEyed · Aug 2, 2015

Oh boy!! this has got me itching! You should not have to be subjected to that! Flea bites are miserable!