I learned something cool! little tricks to make life easier

[NM nurse to be]

So I was having this huge issue with the bedpan with one particular resident. He calls for it a lot and often doesn't go. But when he does, man look out! It's huge, loose and you can NEVER get it out of the pan! So I was just throwing the whole thing away.

Another aide told me the best trick! Put a plastic can liner over the bedpan, stuff it down in the inside and use it that way. Then when I remove the pan, I can turn the bag inside out, toss in the wipes and be done with the whole process! Amazing!!!

I love stuff like that! And when I told the aides on my new floor, they were amazed the newby had some great trick they didn't know What do you pass on that makes your life easier?

[CoffeemateCNA]

Before I do peri care on somebody and apply barrier cream, I double glove my dominant hand. After I have done the cleaning and smeared cream everywhere it needs to be, I can remove the top glove and VOILA I have a pair of "clean" gloves with which to fasten the resident's brief, get them dressed, situated, etc.

It's not ideal, but how many people actually have time to remove their gloves, wash their hands, and don another pair of gloves between wiping and clothing residents?

I hate it when CNAs try to finish the rest of their cares with gloves that have cream and BM on them. They get it all over the resident, the bed, and their clothes. YUCK.

[CoffeemateCNA]

If you have an incontinent resident that needs their brief changed in the sit-to-stand and you are worried about them going on the floor during this, pull their pants down and put the new brief in between their legs. Then remove the old one, do peri care, and attach the sides of the new brief. That way the floor is never exposed -- especially good when the rooms are carpeted.

[CoffeemateCNA]

If you have a resident that is difficult to transfer (i.e. won't push off or stand up fully), you can remove the side of their wheelchair, lock the wheelchair as close as possible to the bed, put the gaitbelt on them, and slightly "scoot" them across to the bed. They only have to scoot about 1 foot away, and you don't have to strain your back lifting and worrying about them pivoting.

[justme01]

Double gloving. Why didn't I think of that?

[justme01]

How would one go about removing the side of a wheelchair, and how time consuming is it to do? I am not very handy.

[CoffeemateCNA]

How would one go about removing the side of a wheelchair, and how time consuming is it to do? I am not very handy.

It's easy. 10-15 seconds tops. Physical therapist showed me this.

There are 2 wheelchair designs that I'm familiar with.

1. Has two pegs on each side of the wheelchair. You push the pegs in and pull straight up. It's the same sort of mechanism used to lengthen/shorten metal crutches, canes, and wheelchair pedals.

2. Has two rings with a "thumb" tab. You use the tab and turn the rings (which loosens it) then pull straight up.

It's actually not just the side, it's also the armrest. To put it back in you just do the opposite of what you did.

I had a nice diagram to go with this, but it didn't show up right on the post so I deleted it.

Also a word of warning, you can't "drag" people across to their bed, because the wheelchair wheel is exposed and could cause a skin tear. You don't have to pick them up all the way, though; an inch or two is sufficient to get the safely across.