New Policies

I don't know if there are any laws about what time you can give a patient a bath. It seems to me that if you took a patient that was not confused and got them up at 4 am and gave them a bath and put them back to bed that a daily routime of this would make them confused. To do this to a confused patient would certainly not make them more oriented. If this was done to a family member of mine I would be looking for other places to send them to.

This does nothing to benefit the patient and could actually cause more confussion than help it. This is only for the convenience of the facility who should be hiring more help in the day time to maintain a normal day/night routine for their patients.

That was my understanding, Our day shift has a staff of about 6 cna and at least 3 nurses, with about 55 patients.

I am told that all nursing homes do this in Indiana, still this does not make it right

We aren't allowed to get anyone out of bed before 0600 unless they specifically request to be up...we don't even get our residents dressed and leave them in bed on 0400 rounds like most other LTCs I have worked in. I would check with your state ombudsman and see what they think...

That was my understanding, Our day shift has a staff of about 6 cna and at least 3 nurses, with about 55 patients.

I am told that all nursing homes do this in Indiana, still this does not make it right

No, that doesn't make it right! I think I would like to have an official clarification on this policy from the agency that regulates Indiana nursing homes. If they approve of this warehousing type of treatment for residents, I can't say much for the quality of their supervision.

In any case, I think I would be looking for a way to get some publicity about this practice so the general public will know how their relatives will be treated if admitted to this facility. Do you have any friends working in local newspapers or television stations who might be looking for "human interest" stories? Of course, you know you will need to find another job if you make any waves.

we have never had a policy book before, one person is writing it ,she is a part timer who works less than 12 hours a week.

I believe very strongly in patients rights

and patient teaching

I have been trying to teach a patient breathing tech, the author of our policy book says the patient " is to stupid to learn"

Surely this sort of treatment is against the BoN code:

• Function within the legal boundaries of nursing practice based on the knowledge of statutes and rules governing nursing.

  
  
  

• Accept responsibility for individual nursing actions and continued competence.

  
  
  

• Communicate, collaborate, and function with other members of the health team to provide safe and effective care.

  
  

• Seek education and supervision as necessary when implementing nursing practice techniques.

  
  

• Respect the dignity and rights of the patient/client regardless of socioeconomic status, personal attributes, or nature of health problem.

  
  

• Maintain each patient/client's right to privacy by protecting confidential information unless obligated, by law, to disclose the information.....

  
  

I am flabbergasted by what I am reading. My rule of thumb is that if I wouldn't want it done to me- then I can't do it on others (or "do unto others as...) and G-d willing when I reach my "golden years" and I don't HAVE to get up at the crack of dawn- don't you dare wake me!! Where I work (an SNF with all kinds- from oriented to totally disoriented and non-communicative clients) we are not allowed to awaken any patient before 6am unless it is their wish (and we have one who insisits on getting up at 4:30 for prayers!). And we respect requests to let the patient wake up late (although we can't hold breakfast for more than an hour for fear that it will spoil etc.)

But criticizing the policy isn't going to help you because it is obvious to any rational thinking human being that the policy is cruel. It can lead to extended periods of time sitting that can cause a rise in pressure sores, it can interfere with the circadian rhythm of the client, it can disrupt meal times as I hope you provide a hot drink and something for the belly if you are going to pull the patient out of bed by 4am. It can exacerbate illnesses like diabetes, COPD , stomach ulces, Psych disorders, infections etc., etc.. It will throw the alzheimers and dementia clients out of wack completely and disrupt any benefit that can be had by starting the day on the right foot so as to maximize his/her day (as well as lead to noncompliance problems!)

So the question is WHY did they change the policy? Once we had a head nurse who decided that all routine (QD etc) Blodd Pressures be taken at 2am so as to maximize the night nurses hours!! Can you imagine? waking a patient who is on a host of blood pressure meds at 2am to take his BP? I protested to deaf ears. Even the doctor wouldn't back me up! After a pateint stroked out(And died two days later) from high BP (We were reporting 240/200 and the head nurse claimed it was because we weren't waking her up gently enough!!). So I know crazy policies go on- but if you can determine the etiology of the disease you can heal it faster. Is there an abundance of nights staff and not enough day staff? Is there a reason the clients have to be up so early (doctors visits or something)? Can you tip off the SW and have her complain on behalf of the clients. Do the families know? Although you can't tell the families (it would look like insubordination).

Good Luck and have patience

we have never had a policy book before, one person is writing it ,she is a part timer who works less than 12 hours a week.

I believe very strongly in patients rights

and patient teaching

I have been trying to teach a patient breathing tech, the author of our policy book says the patient " is to stupid to learn"

Says more about the speaker that about the patient!!

We start baths at 5AM, but only on people who are already awake. We are farm-ranch country,so have many life-long early risers. Middle of the night baths are done only if awake (to relax them) or severely incontinent of bowel.

hmm they tried that were i was working about 12 yrs ago.....went to the local med school library....did some research on sleep deprivation....a whole page, typed, single spaced......put under the don's door.......didnt hear any more about it......I would think it would come under battery, maybe even assault.....Ever hear of the quiet awakenings system.....persons are allowed to go to breakfast in slippies and robes, clean of coursel.....and wash/dress later......

We have a shower aid, she gives the showers starts at 5:30am, does weekly BP, weights, nails, monitors changes in skin condition. Documents all the above. Helps with bkft and feeding. Usually done with this by 11:00AM, then helps in the dining room. This position is very valuable, I've worked at places where the CNA did the showers, no consistancy, sometimes the showers were missed for weeks at a time, nails not done etc. As far as getting a resident up in the middle of the night that is a terrible practice, should be stopped.