Living with poo

[dropbears101]

Hi everyone, I'm a nursing student that has just started out in my first job in a nursing setting as an AIN at a nursing home. So far I'm really enjoying it, but there's one big thing that's driving me up the wall - poo. My issue mainly arises from the regular staff at the home tossing the soiled pads on the floor or the dressing counters while changing them, and then putting their (albeit gloved) hands all over the bed sheets, pillows, hand rails and hand rail covers. I then end up inadvertantly touching this with my uniform and shoes, which then touches the inside of my car, and then some parts of the house when I get home.

Now, I know most people (my parents and most of my friends included) may think that this is trivial or that I'm over-doing it, but it dead set drives me up the wall to the point of where I'm bordering on obsessive-compulsive behaviour. An example of this would be using spray disinfectant on my shirt this morning where the seat belt of my car touched it.

So, does everyone else here think I'm over-doing it and if so do you have any ideas on how I should deal with it? Any input here would be greatly apreciated because appart from this I love the job.

[ErinS, BSN, RN]

I think the reality is there is crap everywhere. You just happen to be a little more in touch with it now. I work in homecare, and I make a point to carry disinfectant in my car (which I use at least weekly), and of course hand sanitizer. You have to decide what works for you. When I worked in a nursing home or the hospital, my clothes and shoes came off as soon as I came in the house. The clothes went into the washer, the shoes got clorox wiped. This is not unique among my nursing friends.

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

I think the reality is there is crap everywhere.

Kudos just for that quote.

The habits the coworkers describe drive me up the wall too. WHY would you put your poo-covered gloves on a patient's clean body parts and clean diaper to finish up the diaper change?

The only advice I have is to change your clothes and shoes before entering your car. A classmate of mine once had a plastic box in her trunk for her shoes and scrubs. She wore a tank top and shorts under her scrubs and undressed in the parking lot. Now I don't suggest you undress in the parking lot but consider the trunk box idea.

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

I don't think you are over-concerned, the fact is many people are lazy and just don't worry about it. I know nurses that either change before leaving work, or as soon as they step inside their home. For me cross contamination is a pet peeve, but you can protect yourself by wearing gloves, a lot.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Meh, I know families that are leaving poo and worse germs all over the facility. Concentrating on that, I don't think about poo gloves all that much.

[JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN]

Two things - you are a little overly worried (just a little, though, not crazy) and your coworkers seem to have some pretty careless, disgusting behaviors. Bleh.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

One way to look at it:

Used groceries and some bugs.... Don't want to wallow in it, but the chances of it ruining your life are minimal :)

[jocelynlpn, LPN]

Usually when I go into a resident's room who has had a suppository or prune juice cocktail, I just put the garbage can beside their bed so that I don't have to throw their dirty briefs and cloths anywhere else. If you're worried about getting it on your scrubs, throw on an isolation gown or something. Bring a grocery bag to work and change out of your scrubs before you get in your car.

[dropbears101]

Thanks a lot for the replies everyone, you've all got some good points.

@ErinS: It never occured to me to get some spray disinfectant and have a New Zealand shower in the car park. I think I may do that.

@JDBinCA: Undressing in the car park probably isn't a good idea seeing as the car park is right next to a major road and near a school. And the only other place to change clothes is the staff toilets which are basically broom closets with a hole in the floor.

@nurse2033: Unfortunately I can't get a full body glove to stop the stuff getting all over my clothes and shoes.

@wooh: To each his/her own I suppose

@JulieCVICURN: Probably so and yes, deffinitely.

@xtxrn: Eeh, my pathophysiology and pharmacology lecturer has put the fear of God in me about those used groceries and bugs.

@jocelynlpn: For some strange reason at my facility the staff look at me like I'm a moron (and then basically tell me that I am one) if I take the bin to the bedside. I think I might keep pushing it though because the residents and their families that come to visit deserve a clean environment.

[Flo., BSN, RN]

Thats gross!

[RNfaster]

I think your concerns are right. Poo should be respected and carefully handled... When linens laden with poop are thrown to the floor and we tread through the stuff, we track it into other patients rooms... and they walk in it...and get back in bed... Same thing for when we transfer it on to our clothes...we can then transfer it to other patients... eColi, C diff, etc., anyone? I think your coworkers are careless and need a primer in microbiology. It's also really easy to put a trash bin, hamper, and/or towel on a surface to catch the dirty linens. And it's easy to change gloves...even during a procedure.

[Jackfackmasta, ASN, RN]

Talk to the charge nurse to bring up during shift briefing. That's what I did when I got irritated because people were not putting stat locks on foleys and giving pts call lights.