Long infusions in home...

[Mommyof2RN]

I have a question for those of you who do long infusions in the home...what in the world do you do to keep yourself busy! Last week I had a man having 6 hour IVIG infusions for 4 days straight...needless to say I caught up on all my charting the first day and I was bored out of my mind the rest! I'd love to hear the stories of others!

[annaedRN, RN]

Depending on situation, we have hooked up and monitored for s/e then left and returned to unhook later. Is patient not able to provide/teach own infusion?

[Mommyof2RN]

IVIG infusions are required to be monitored by an RN at all times.

[annaedRN, RN]

I had a patient who received IVIG (Vivaglobin) via a subcu infusion that we monitored the first time then she learned to perfom her own infusions. Maybe if it's an IV, different guidelines?

Anyhow, suggestions.... books, puzzle book (crosswords, sudoko (sp?) ), nursing magazines, if you have laptops for charting can play games, write someone an "old-fashioned" letter (wouldn't they be surprised?), start your Christmas list, can bring things to study (learn how to speak Spanish or take on line course towards a degree or certification) I did private duty for a long time before doing HH/VNA...just some things I did or atleast thought of doing. Good luck beating boredom :)

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

I have one patient who gets a monthly Gamunex infusion that takes 3 hours to complete. I have the same problem. The family feels like they need to entertain me so they sit and talk and show me pictuers. The husband is in some company that sells a "get out of debt quick" thing and he is always trying to sell me something. I get paperwork done, but then Im just kinda sitting there the rest of the time.

[sunnyrnfl]

My patients and I usually watched movies when I was doing this type of nursing.