Kitty litter as an order

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Specializes in Corrections, Cardiac, Hospice.

Actually, I thought it was kind of cool! We have a patient with real bad wounds. +cdif, + MRSA. Needless to say the smell was overwhelming in the room. We have used those carbon air fresheners in the past for gangrene patients, but our medical director wrote an order for a bowl of kitty litter to be placed under the bed to absorb the odors in the room. I am off for the next day, will let you all know how it works.

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

Interesting, and to think outside of the cats need, I use to keep a bag in my car trunk. Of course that was in case I got stuck and needed to spread it under my tires for traction when I got stuck on ice.Wi/Mn not here in florida.

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Specializes in Cardiac step down unit.

I have seen the kitty litter used a couple times with patients who have bad wounds. The hospice nurse brought it in and we now keep a couple bags of it on our floor. Just pop some in a pt bucket, set it under the bed, and it really helps.

Kelly C.

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Specializes in dialysis (mostly) some L&D, Rehab/LTC.

Meow!

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Specializes in ER; HBOT- lots others.

hey, good to know!! tx!!

-H-RN

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

That's pretty neat! We'd always get the bottle of mouthwash and stick a papertowel in it until it was saturated and sit it out.

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Specializes in Skilled nursing@ LTC.

I've seen brewed coffee grounds used before. That helps too.

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

We use fresh coffee right from the can--I would much rather smell coffee than cat litter--even clean litter has a smell to it.

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Specializes in ICU.

I want to know how this kitty-litter thing works out. Please come back and report your results.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Gee, I thought this was going to be a 'patient giving away kittens from her hospital bed' thread. :chuckle

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Specializes in ER.

We use iodoform gauze like streamers to absorb odor.

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I've used the iodoform gauze too, only just opened the jar and pulled a little bit of the gauze out to create a wicking action. It did work pretty well and it's something the stockroom has on hand in a pinch. Have also used this for patients with very smelly diarrhea to improve the environment. I'll have to remember the kitty litter idea.

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