Have you ever had to burst a left over balloon from a patient at work?

Published

Specializes in ACE.

A patient had a get well balloon but they were discharged which was good and they felt better. They had that balloon in their room. It was deep cleaned but the balloon was left.

The patient did not want it anymore so my co-worker took the balloon and then kept playing with it in the nursing station she put it on her seat and sat on it while charting until it popped.

Now I felt kind of bad cause my co-worker did not pay for the balloon and it didn't belong to her but she broke it did not care.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nope.

Not buying this as a serous post.

How bored are you?

5
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.

Is this a serious post? All snark aside, genuinely asking.

You said yourself the patient didn't want it anymore. What are you expecting?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACE.
6 minutes ago, JadedCPN said:

Is this a serious post? All snark aside, genuinely asking.

You said yourself the patient didn't want it anymore. What are you expecting?

I just felt bad thats why. Ever happen to you?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
Just now, DribbleKing97 said:

I just felt bad thats why. Ever happen to you?

No, absolutely not at all because it makes no sense. It is a balloon. That a patient didn't want anymore. A balloon.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just now, DribbleKing97 said:

I just felt bad thats why. Ever happen to you?

This happens 3-4 times daily in my unit. We have a full time counselor on hand, and try to debrief promptly. A float nurse and supervisor cover PTs during the debrief, and if the affected nurse is able to return to work, they are given a reduced work load.

If you don't have this set up, contact employee health to see what resources are available.

Good luck, and I apologize for minimizing this trauma.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Sure, I have had patients leave balloons behind. I don't sit on them to burst them. I simply use a scissors at the base to make a small opening, let the air out and throw it in the trash.

Of all the crap we see every day, I am amused this is the one that made you feel bad enough to write about.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACE.
1 minute ago, Nurse SMS said:

Sure, I have had patients leave balloons behind. I don't sit on them to burst them. I simply use a scissors at the base to make a small opening, let the air out and throw it in the trash.

Of all the crap we see every day, I am amused this is the one that made you feel bad enough to write about.

Are you being for real? You actually did that?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
1 minute ago, DribbleKing97 said:

Are you being for real? You actually did that?

I did. More than once. And I don't feel bad about it. What should I have done? I don't want it. Nobody wants it. The patients didn't even want it.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology.

It’s a balloon!
a balloon no one wanted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACE.
Just now, Nurse SMS said:

I did. More than once. And I don't feel bad about it. What should I have done? I don't want it. Nobody wants it. The patients didn't even want it.

IDK. I guess I just caught feelings?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
Just now, DribbleKing97 said:

IDK. I guess I just caught feelings?

"Caught feelings"? What does that even mean?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment