Interesting blog Describes view from family's eyes

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Interesting reading from a blog set up by the family member of man with a tramatic brain injury from an MVA. The views and opinions shows how proper communication with family's, especially highly involved family's is so important.

http://prayforkevin.blogspot.com/2009_08_16_archive.html

since i have exposed myself as the cold, heartless girl i am, i have another question/observation.

i read so much about them getting kevin's house ready. i understand bringing home a patient like kevin requires MUCH readiness in the home. that said tho....why the kitchen remodel? why is that so important? why is it so important that the kitchen cabinets be stained to match, new tile on floor...etc. and if thats what THEY want, and i cant see why it would be something kevin would need but something THEY want...why asking people to send money?

ok...there. ive said it. that was really bothering me too.

To be fair, kevin's house had flooded right after his accident.

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i agree w/the family about hourly eye gtts.

for a pt not to be able to naturally produce tears, must get pretty darned irritating.

these 'little things' truly mean a lot...

which reminds me of a hospice pt i had, who had a horrible case of eczema (sp) and psoriasis.

he had topical creams/ungs prescribed but the family was aghast at how poorly his skin looked.

in a family meeting, i agreed w/the family...that while pt has much larger issues than bad skin, these weeping, bleeding, inflamed lesions all over his skin, had to be contributing to his discomfort.

something morphine did not help.

i'm totally used to bedside vigils, and always try to get the families involved in poc.

leslie

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.
To be fair, kevin's house had flooded right after his accident.

ahhh...see! i missed that part. that makes a whole lot more sense now! thank you!

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Specializes in Case management, Utilization Review.

Wouldn't this blog be a HIPAA violation?

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Wouldn't this blog be a HIPAA violation?

How, the family is writing it....not a health care professional. Folks are free to share whatever medical information they want about themselves (or anyone they're responsible for) with whomever they want....HIPPA comes in when a third party shares information.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.
i agree w/the family about hourly eye gtts.

for a pt not to be able to naturally produce tears, must get pretty darned irritating.

these 'little things' truly mean a lot...

Oh, I don't disagree with the need for the eye ointment, but the expectation that the nurse is able to provide hourly eye ointment in a reliable and timely fashion is unrealistic with the average patient load, and I can just imagine how frustrating it would be to have family members harping on the damn eye drops when you're doing the best you can to provide good care to ALL of your patients. I'm glad that the family was eventually trained to provide this aspect of care.

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I have to say I am with you on this one. I don't think its heartless. The family strikes me as angry and coping by micromanaging, trying to split staff, and setting themselves up for conflict. I think the emotions and feelings are understandable - its an awful situation - and I am sure communication isn't always good, but fighting with your loved one's caregivers, asking your friends to "pray" that they will get him up in a chair for X amount of hours a day, etc is over the top and not very helpful to anyone. I wouldn't want to deal with them, either.

I agree.

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Specializes in ER.

It sounds like everything that could possibly go wrong has for this family. They are not nearly as trusting or laid back as they were the first day of the blog, but I think the medical system jades us all if we have to live within it for more than a few days. It's good that they are more assertive, and I also wonder why the staff don't take advantage of their willingness to do anything for Kevin. If they did shaves, and eyedrops, for example, it would be a huge load off, and then nursing staff can get some quality time in with the little extras during position changing.

Family does seem to want everything perfect, and I can't say I wouldn't be the same or worse in their position.

I don't see where Kevin has gone any length of time without fevers or pneumonia of some sort. I don't see this ending well, and now looks like his Mom has MRSA too...this is crazy, like a house of cards falling slowly.

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Gosh, have to agree with those who say they would not want to deal with Kevins family....I imagine this familly is a nightmare to deal with on a day to day basis. He is probably a great patient though. Sounds like they are trying to control all they can in a situation so out of their control. Had to stop myself from replying to some of their posts bashing on nursing staff.......Really do wish the best for these people.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

"We took her a Sunday paper and went to tell the nurses they left the water out of mom’s ice/water chill pack."

Oh dear lord.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

before you flame me, i allready know i'm heartless :D

I have read many of your posts, heartless is not a word I would use. I would be happy to have you as my nurse!:redbeathe

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

after reading this blog i do have to agree with southernbeegirl, i apologize for coming off half cocked without reading the blog and seeing how anal some of the complaints have been. i think the family needs to be taught how to provide all of kevin's care and maybe they'll see how hard his nurse's are working to give him quality care. or a come to jesus talk.

yikes, just imagine what the family will be like when they get him home!

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