Don't Ignore Family Concerns

[Duckman_97]

Don't Ignore Family Concerns

Recently my father passed away and I feel it necessary to write this letter to remind my fellow nurses around the nation that family members should not be ignored or blown off when they have a concern regarding their love ones. We, as nurses, must remember that not everyone has medical knowledge. Family members come to us and say "something is wrong with my mom or dad" or "He/she is not acting right." These are our clues to investigate what could be wrong.

My father was at a rehab unit after having his knee replaced. First week of rehab was great. His knee was healing perfectly, no signs of infection. The second week, my mother and my in-laws were visiting quite frequently. Each time they left, they would tell the nursing staff, "something is not right with him, he is not himself." The nursing staff came back with the typical response of, "Don't worry, we will watch him." Nothing ever happened. The third week, my mother calls in a panic, "they are taking your father to the hospital." Since I am in Arizona, I cannot do anything. I call my in-laws and have them go to the hospital. I tell my father in-law to tell me what he sees on the monitor. He calls back and tells me that my dad's blood pressure is low, 60-70 systolic low. Terrific, my father is now septic from an unknown infection.

I get an emergency flight back to Idaho April 18, 2008. Over the next three days, I work off of the sepsis protocol from my hospital. The medical staff at the hospital and I shared information to better care for my father. The official diagnosis was sepsis due to C-diff colitis. Unfortunately, April 21, 2008, my father passed away.

Infections are preventable. Sepsis is preventable. You may not see the outward signs like a change in vitals or lab results. Family members will see the most subtle changes with their loved ones. Please do not ignore the family's concerns. We have all done it at one time or another whether you admit it or not. I hope that my story will help to change that, for I have changed.

[Chaya, ASN, RN]

Sorry very sorry you had to go through this. Families are often the best judge of the patient's overall state of health.

[alyx]

I lost my papa 1 and a half years ago...my heart cries with you...especially since it was so preventable. I will head your advice and put it into practice always. God Bless you as you try to go on.

[Kthale81]

Don't Ignore Family Concerns

Recently my father passed away and I feel it necessary to write this letter to remind my fellow nurses around the nation that family members should not be ignored or blown off when they have a concern regarding their love ones. We, as nurses, must remember that not everyone has medical knowledge. Family members come to us and say "something is wrong with my mom or dad" or "He/she is not acting right." These are our clues to investigate what could be wrong.

My father was at a rehab unit after having his knee replaced. First week of rehab was great. His knee was healing perfectly, no signs of infection. The second week, my mother and my in-laws were visiting quite frequently. Each time they left, they would tell the nursing staff, "something is not right with him, he is not himself." The nursing staff came back with the typical response of, "Don't worry, we will watch him." Nothing ever happened. The third week, my mother calls in a panic, "they are taking your father to the hospital." Since I am in Arizona, I cannot do anything. I call my in-laws and have them go to the hospital. I tell my father in-law to tell me what he sees on the monitor. He calls back and tells me that my dad's blood pressure is low, 60-70 systolic low. Terrific, my father is now septic from an unknown infection.

I get an emergency flight back to Idaho April 18, 2008. Over the next three days, I work off of the sepsis protocol from my hospital. The medical staff at the hospital and I shared information to better care for my father. The official diagnosis was sepsis due to C-diff colitis. Unfortunately, April 21, 2008, my father passed away.

Infections are preventable. Sepsis is preventable. You may not see the outward signs like a change in vitals or lab results. Family members will see the most subtle changes with their loved ones. Please do not ignore the family's concerns. We have all done it at one time or another whether you admit it or not. I hope that my story will help to change that, for I have changed.

I am so sorry about your father. Patients and their families should be taken seriously about the concerns about any changes. I would be very upset also, since sepsis is preventable and able to treat - if treatment is started asap.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

I am very, very sorry for you. My closest adviser lost her father last year to sepsis as well. Thank you for the post.

:icon_hug:

[santhony44, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm so very sorry about your father.

Thank you for your reminder. "Something is not right" really should always be a red flag for us. Your letter will definitely help me keep that in mind.

[leslie :-D]

you are so spot on, duckman.

when family members make statements such as this, i take it just as seriously as if i had hard data in my hands.

very sad and tragic, on so many levels.

wishing you peace, strength and closure.

leslie

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

I am sorry for your loss. C diff is sweeping the nation d/t overuse of antibiotics. I know and appreciate the time and pain this post cost you. Blessing to you and your family.

[Duckman_97]

Thank you to everyone who reads this letter. I encourage everyone to read it and send it to friends, family, and fellow co-workers. The more this message is sent, more people will realize how easy it is to change.

[woody62, RN]

Thank you to everyone who reads this letter. I encourage everyone to read it and send it to friends, family, and fellow co-workers. The more this message is sent, more people will realize how easy it is to change.

In the beginning of May, 2006 I underwent an I & D of a spider bite on my calf. Because I was unable to ambulated and required frequent dressing changes I was sent to a rehab unit in a LTC facility. It took six weeks, a week of nonstop vomiting, decrease in urinary output and passing out when standing to get a trip to the hospital, where I was admitted in spetic shock, acute renal shutdown, pneumonia. I spent twenty one days in ICU. I had complained to both the nursing staff, as well as the physician taking of me. If I had not passed out and that had not mandated a trip to the ER, I would have had to wait for my daughter to pick me up later that day and take me to the ER.

If a family member states that something is wrong, that they can't put their finger on it, pay attention to the patient. Check on that patient a little more frequently. I use to get feelings about some of my patients. I couldn't put my finger on it but they would change. Change shortly before they took a downward turn.

Please, please, please pay attention.

Woody:twocents:

[Keepstanding, ASN, RN]

keeping you and your family in my prayers. your post is a very good one for all nurse's to read and take to heart. :heartbeat