This thread involves the subject of menstruation, somewhat descriptive, so if that's a disturbing subject to you, well, you know.
I was scheduled for a long back case today, and this was also the 2nd day of my period. Every once in awhile (once a year or so), my period is heavy, as in, soaking a tampon and 2 pads stuck together.
I'd asked for another room that gave me better odds of getting a bathroom break, but that didn't happen (i simply said that due to personal matters, i would need a morning break, which those don't always happen). Coordinator says "Schedule's made, and i ain't fixing it."
So i go to this room, case starts at 8, last bathroom visit was at 7:25. I asked for relief at 10, then 10:30 am after that wasn't answered. Kept asking, got told "no" over and over by the coordinator. I could already tell that there was a problem. Physically uncomfortable, yeah, being soaked, and not a thing i could do about it.
3:30 pm rolls around, case is finally finished, i strip my paper gown off, and look down to find the inner legs my light blue cotton pants dark red. Before i could grab a blanket to cover this up, the surgeon says loudly "Oh, GOD, are you OK???" Ah, thank you for calling this to everyone's attention, this way they were able to see what you were talking about before i got ahold of that blanket.:stone
Hurried up and went down the hall, but not before stopping off at the desk and saying "All i needed was 5 minutes, and there have been extra people here all day, so WHY couldn't SOMEONE have come in for JUST 5 minutes??" (she knew this, i mentioned what was going on that morning) Didn't stick around for an answer, i went to the locker room, grab the necessary supplies (including underwear) and a new pair of pants, and trotted off to the bathroom. Went straight to the manager's office. Who, which i appreciate, was furious, and said "hell if it was an issue with staff, I could have relieved you. No one should be denied to go to the bathroom."
I expressed that, while this isn't actually something TO be embarrassed about, i was anyway, simply because a private matter became physically public, and really could have been avoided.
You're right, Marie, you shouldn't have to do that. I do know gals that have done that in an emergency, tho. Like, out of supplies, baby sleeping, husband took the car.
I used to have very heavy periods (before BC pill... i don't need it for the BC but for cycle control it is HEAVEN!). One thing that helped was to switch to using a "Keeper" (you can find it on Google) instead of a tampon. You can still use a pad for back-up. Far more comfortable than tampons IMHO, and has a larger "capacity". Plus it's environmentally friendly!
Even with the best protection you should of course still be able to take a break when needed, but the Keeper might make things a bit easier during the rough months.
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
I just find this to be ridiculous. It is your employers responsibility to allow you the time to care for basic human biological needs. Someone needs to take the responsibility (management) to be sure that the staff can pee (or whatever) every 2 to 4 hours. Anything else is just abuse. I would definitely pursue this as they need to have a plan in place for situations like this. I am sorry you were put in this situation. It is simply wrong, stupid, shortsighted, and so easily fixed. I hope they address this now and you are never placed in that position again. I do hope you would assert yourself a little more next time. Perhaps call the OR director from the room? If not for yourself, then for everyone else who may follow in your steps. Some people would be so devestated from a situation like that it could really cause future problems for them. Not to mention the risk for UTI. I am amazed that you handled it so well. My hat is off to you. I would have been wheels off and I am a very calm person 99% of the time!
I talked to the supervisor this morning. She apparently told people in report that if anyone needs "relief", call her and she'll be down in a minute (i'll read the notebook tomorrow to see what was actually said).
And told me about a new "drawer" in her office, that contains a variety of "supplies", in case someone doesn't have their own (this drawer didn't exist before, you usually had to go to pre-op to raid the cart for ABD pads in an emergency). The other drawer contains Tums, Advil, Tylenol, Mylanta, cough drops, granola bars, and pop-top soup bowls and crackers that people are allowed to help themselves to.
I would have been really concerned about wearing the same tampon for 8 hours.....remember Toxic Shock Syndrome???
Last summer I had a extra long period that required that I recieve 10 units of blood transfused. Some of the adult incontinent products worked really well for me at that time.
Sorry for the unkindness and uncaring attitude of your supervisor.
The supervisor sounds terrific! (just bring in a jar of peanut butter, and you have a fully stocked disaster kit!!) And, she sounds like she doesn't want this to happen to anyone again.
Now if we could just get the other gal on eht same page....
Specializes in PICU, Nurse Educator, Clinical Research.
I would have been really concerned about wearing the same tampon for 8 hours.....remember Toxic Shock Syndrome???
Last summer I had a extra long period that required that I recieve 10 units of blood transfused. Some of the adult incontinent products worked really well for me at that time.
Sorry for the unkindness and uncaring attitude of your supervisor.
Vickie
:balloons:
WHOA!! that must have been awful!!
marie, i'm so sorry this happened to you, and happy that you went to the supervisor with the situtation...i think a lot of women would've been too embarrassed to pursue the issue.
One of the things that bothers me about nursing is the notion that it's ok to deny nurses the opportunity to meet basic biological needs- bathroom breaks and meals. i just don't get it.
Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
that bites-I think you should report her and push your complaint all the way up the chain of command.That's a horrible thing to do to anyone.Thankfully I don't have those issues any longer but I can attest that a Pamper will work well as a back-up....(I will share something-years ago I was battling a stomach virus and went to work but I just was not feeling too spiffy...I "passed gas" and crapped my britches.....My car was in the shop and I had walked to work.My boss had me wrap myself up in garbage bags and took me home-and of course waited for me to change so she could take me back to work....)
This thread involves the subject of menstruation, somewhat descriptive, so if that's a disturbing subject to you, well, you know.
I was scheduled for a long back case today, and this was also the 2nd day of my period. Every once in awhile (once a year or so), my period is heavy, as in, soaking a tampon and 2 pads stuck together.
I'd asked for another room that gave me better odds of getting a bathroom break, but that didn't happen (i simply said that due to personal matters, i would need a morning break, which those don't always happen). Coordinator says "Schedule's made, and i ain't fixing it."
So i go to this room, case starts at 8, last bathroom visit was at 7:25. I asked for relief at 10, then 10:30 am after that wasn't answered. Kept asking, got told "no" over and over by the coordinator. I could already tell that there was a problem. Physically uncomfortable, yeah, being soaked, and not a thing i could do about it.
3:30 pm rolls around, case is finally finished, i strip my paper gown off, and look down to find the inner legs my light blue cotton pants dark red. Before i could grab a blanket to cover this up, the surgeon says loudly "Oh, GOD, are you OK???" Ah, thank you for calling this to everyone's attention, this way they were able to see what you were talking about before i got ahold of that blanket.:stone
Hurried up and went down the hall, but not before stopping off at the desk and saying "All i needed was 5 minutes, and there have been extra people here all day, so WHY couldn't SOMEONE have come in for JUST 5 minutes??" (she knew this, i mentioned what was going on that morning) Didn't stick around for an answer, i went to the locker room, grab the necessary supplies (including underwear) and a new pair of pants, and trotted off to the bathroom. Went straight to the manager's office. Who, which i appreciate, was furious, and said "hell if it was an issue with staff, I could have relieved you. No one should be denied to go to the bathroom."
I expressed that, while this isn't actually something TO be embarrassed about, i was anyway, simply because a private matter became physically public, and really could have been avoided.
It'll be nice when i start the new BC pills.
I have to say that I sympathize with you. Your boss-person was wrong. THAT SUCKS!!!
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prmenrs, RN
4,565 Posts
You're right, Marie, you shouldn't have to do that. I do know gals that have done that in an emergency, tho. Like, out of supplies, baby sleeping, husband took the car.