Help me help you

#1: Have a family member stay with you at all times or as long as possible if visiting hours are limited if you are in a condition where you cannot speak for yourself. I too don't like confrontation and am uncomfortable questioning professionals, but you have to look out for yourself! Being a nurse myself, and seeing what happens on the floors, I would be questioning everything if myself or a loved one were in the hospital. I would have no hesitation asking if someone washed or foamed their hands, making sure alcohol wipes are used each time an IV is accessed, making sure sterile caps are placed on the ends of IV tubing when disconnected, make sure IV meds are diluted and given slowly, asking what meds/doses you are being given. I think most people in healthcare really want to be there and really want to do a good job, but mistakes do happen, and there are bad nurses. Ask if you have a question about anything. If you feel your nurse is not addressing your problem and you just don't feel right, ask to see the nurse manager, and if that doesn't help ask to talk to the nursing supervisor. You also have the right to request a different nurse if you really have a problem with a particular nurse. Yes, you may offend some nurses, but it is your life on the line!

I had one patient who had been in the hospital for a while and shuffled from one unit to another. The family was always present and questioning everything. The first night I had this patient, I had no sooner stepped into the room when the family started questioning every move I made, and asking if I would be doing certain things during the night. At first I was a bit annoyed, but I just took a deep breath and told the family I didn't mind their questions, that this was their loved one, and you have to look out for them. Because I took the time to listen to them and answer their questions/concerns, they came to trust me, which actually made my job easier. I became their favorite nurse, and they said they could sleep better at night knowing I was their nurse for the night. That made me feel really good.

So, what I'm saying is not to worry about questioning your nurse, just be nice about it. Also, realize that there are a lot of rules/procedures that nurses must follow, so be understanding if something doesn't happen immediately; i.e., if you have a headache, we can't just whip out some Tylenol if the doctor hasn't previously ordered it. We must page the doctor, wait for him to call back, page the doctor again if they don't call back in a reasonable time, write the order, send the order to the pharmacy, and wait for the pharmacy to enter it in the computer so we can pull it out of the Pyxis. And, if it's 2:00 in the morning, the nurse is probably going to get yelled at for waking up the doctor!

That's probably more than you wanted to know, but I tend to be long-winded.

Good luck on your procedure.

oh but please, dont question so much that you appear hostile or micromanaging.

I had a family recently just like described above, where I was their favorite because I answered all their questions and met all their needs (even the irrational ones).

It wont get you the best nursing care if you come off as hostile or controlling so just be honest about your anxieties and also be understanding. Try not to stress the small stuff, but emphasize the important things. Im not saying nurses purposely give poor care to the micromanaging patient/families, but if you cause them to resent you they probably wont go out of their way either.

For example, feel free to ask about your medications (what they are, what they are for, etc), your lab values, etc, but avoid insisting your temp be checked every hour.

I think you could benefit from visiting the unit beforehand and having your questions answered about what it will be like after you get out of surgery. My hospital does that and I think most do if you request it. You can also prepare yourself by getting some patient education to help you get an idea of the procedure and what is expected postoperatively. Arm yourself with information and you should reduce your anxiety and keep an eye out for yourself.

By all means, ask caregivers to wash their hands! My hospital has posters in the hallways saying "it's okay to ask" staff if they "gelled". Its your health and and your right that caregivers practice hand hygiene.

And if they get offended, too bad. They'll get over it a lot quicker than a MRSA infection.

Thanks to all who replied with such good info! I appreciate the input!

Good advice from everyone. Make sure the docs and nurses disinfect their stethoscopes also (quite important with a surgical chest.)