In your experience have you seen this happen?

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I am not a nurse but a Radiologic Technologist for 39 years. Medicine has been my life many modalities. My mother is in a nursing home unable to verbalize because of a CVA. She has ogelvies syndrome caused by over medication with narcotics in this same home. She gets frequent UTIs. I was in checking on her last week and when we put her on the toilet via hoyer lift. I noticed a contusion at the pubic area. Looked live it had been pinched (fingers). She also had a large tear on her arm, not uncommon because of her thin skin. Although I told the nurse on duty when I went to remind her that her clonidine patch was 6 days over due for change, she didn't even look at the area of injury. The next day when I went in it was BLACK BLUE and as big as a baseball. I inquired again as how it happened. Got many different stories, was also told that she vomited that morning when I had observed the contusion. I think it was because it hurt so bad when they damaged her. The final story that administration gave me was that it was done when they did the cath for UA. I have done many caths for VCUGs etc and never heard of that happening. The report that they had given the Dr. as I inquired was there was a bruse about the size of a thumb. I don't want to cause any trouble but there has been ssooo many problems. In a routine cath placement could this happen?

Well how about a class for the residents to make window boxes then place them at the diaper changing windows and have the residents plant the flowers in them? Something like hmmm star gazers or pansies, something that has a potent odor. It would give the residents something to look at at a glance toward the window. You can also have a survey and let the residents choose what flowers to plant. I would not reccomend roses d/t the thorns and safety issues it might bring up but the others yes. The seeds are inexpensive and left over wood pieces are too.Think about how the residents would feel with a bright uplifting view. It could work. Good luck and happy growing. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.
Can anyune tell me if they have ever been in a nursing home that did not reek of urine? I never have.

Absolutely, nursing home does not have to equal urine odor. And I'm not talking about temporary odors such as during rounds, but the ever present odor that hits you when you walk in the door. I do think, apart from many other factors, it makes a difference whether the floors are carpeted or not

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My LTC does not reek of urine...or anything else for that matter! Sometimes we get a temporary odor after we change someone's brief or something, but that is something that happens no matter what...come visit my bathroom after my husband has been in there! :) We put all we briefs in a bag...we double bag soiled ones. All wet or soiled linen is rimsed / soaked and then double bagged. Trash is taken out in the middle and the end of each shift. We work very hard to control odor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I want to thank all of you again for your wonderful input. Because of your support and help in direction. The Dr. is involved has seen actual pictures and notified the facility and will be in soon. They are to determine what really happened as he confirmed along with all of you not from a cath placement alone. They are in the process of investigating further. It has been documented with authorities. The clonidine issue has had an incident report also but since then there was another delay (clonidine) that my sister noticed only a couple of days brought to there attention and the incorrect date was put on the new one that showed the date it should have been changed so now they are investigating that one. At least I think we have there attention this time. We are still looking for a place to take her there is a new thing coming on board in Oregon to happen soon. A new Foster Care called "on the move" for the more difficult pt. Oregon will pay more and there will be less clients at each home like only 3 instead of 5. But you all know how States move....slow....

I want to thank COTJOCKY for the message, it is the facility you were talking about. As a new member I am not allowed to send private message yet or able to reply. Thanks again to ALL. Maybe we can help them get these problems on the mend. I think part of the problem is the Administrator is very willing and wants to make it better but she is not a medical professional so is relying on her Nursing staff which are not very seasoned nor willing to learn unfortunate for them as we all learn in this field every day and learn from every experinece. They need to start honing ther assement skills and think about cause and effect. Being creative and problem solving, how can we make things better.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
Absolutely, nursing home does not have to equal urine odor. And I'm not talking about temporary odors such as during rounds, but the ever present odor that hits you when you walk in the door. I do think, apart from many other factors, it makes a difference whether the floors are carpeted or not

no carpets ..so no odor

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
I want to thank all of you again for your wonderful input. Because of your support and help in direction. The Dr. is involved has seen actual pictures and notified the facility and will be in soon. They are to determine what really happened as he confirmed along with all of you not from a cath placement alone. They are in the process of investigating further. It has been documented with authorities. The clonidine issue has had an incident report also but since then there was another delay (clonidine) that my sister noticed only a couple of days brought to there attention and the incorrect date was put on the new one that showed the date it should have been changed so now they are investigating that one. At least I think we have there attention this time.

UNBELEIVABLE- making the same mistake twice...

I want to thank COTJOCKY for the message, it is the facility you were talking about.

I dont think it is a good idea to identify places on a public forum like this, it could have repercussions. Be careful!

Maybe we can help them get these problems on the mend.

Your job is not to fix the facility- that is their job, your job is to get the proper care for your mother, and that is job enough!!

think part of the problem is the Administrator is very willing and wants to make it better but she is not a medical professional so is relying on her Nursing staff which are not very seasoned nor willing to learn unfortunate for them as we all learn in this field every day and learn from every experinece. They need to start honing ther assement skills and think about cause and effect. Being creative and problem solving, how can we make things better.

None of that explains or justifies what they did, not the neglect nor the failure to give meds on time...etc.

I am sorry but I dont have any pity for them- In Hebrew we say: When you start showing pity on the Cruel(people) then you will start showing cruelty to the people who deserve your pity ( and consideration)

If there is problems with the Adm or staff who are under seasoned (your term) - why should your Mother suffer- if they call themselves a Nursing Care Facility - they had better start acting like one!!

I am sorry for being so sharp- I hate repeat abuse and as far as I am concerned failing to replace your Moms patch -- twice- is abuse!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
my advise, since you have not found a better place for her, the family should take turns being with her, there is less chance for abuse if the family is around, try to find someone there who can help you- maybe a lone understanding nurse...

WoW what a dilemma!

It is that however there are many errors in the story and would require researching many different things. The old clonidine patches is one, the suspect of the bruise's cause is another one. State to state differences another one.

There are even more if you scutinize the post. Negligence or Abuse? Whatever it may be it is a dilemma for the family and I think your advice about 24/7 coverage with the family memeber is a good one.

TuTonka

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU, Psych, Med-surg...etc....

Please report this to your state licencing agency that regulates the nursing homes. There is a complaint unit that would investigate these allegations. The facility has the responsibiltiy to throroughly investigate all injuries of unknown origin or suspected abuse and you as the family have the right to the results of that investigation. Call your local ombudsman for assistance.

And- I am in a different Nursing Home every week and 99% DO NOT reek of urine. They ensure that personal hygiene is attended to in a timely manner. If course there are transient odors at toileting/changing time but the odors do not linger.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.Home Health,.

I have worked in LTC for over twenty years and NO I have NEVER seen something like this. What is scary is your mom can not tell you what really happened. Saddly there are people working in these jobs that should not be. I am concerned that the people you reported this too seem to have brushed it off as no big deal. I would get your mom out of there and report this to all the local agencies you can Lord knows what else is going on there. Do you have a ombudsman in your state. Any state agency that watches over them. I would contact anyone you can. This just does not sound right.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
Please report this to your state licencing agency that regulates the nursing homes. There is a complaint unit that would investigate these allegations. The facility has the responsibiltiy to throroughly investigate all injuries of unknown origin or suspected abuse and you as the family have the right to the results of that investigation. Call your local ombudsman for assistance.

And- I am in a different Nursing Home every week and 99% DO NOT reek of urine. They ensure that personal hygiene is attended to in a timely manner. If course there are transient odors at toileting/changing time but the odors do not linger.

THANK YOU , noone wants to admit to the transient odors....even my husband can at times have transient odors (esp. after having what my kids call fart salad- three bean salad that he loves- watch as posters now advise me to buy "beano "or soak the beans in seaweed and water- both of which we've tried)-

I

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

If you are having trouble finding somewhere to move her to, may I suggest taking her home and hiring a private duty nurse? I know that can get expensive, but you don't have to hire a licensed nurse...I remember taking care of a patient when I worked in home health that had CNA's there round the clock with him. We would help the CNA's with bathing him and changing his linens etc. But he may have been more alert than what you describe your mom being. He did also have a bedside commode and a recliner that they would put him in so he wasn't in bed all the time. Just a thought!

Blessings, M.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
Can anyune tell me if they have ever been in a nursing home that did not reek of urine? I never have.

My facility does NOT ever reek of urine...ever.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment