Outdoor time?

pinkiepie_RN · Nov 29, 2009

I am a new nurse on a child/adolescent unit. Our unit is SUPPOSED to be acute care but some of the kids have been there 30-60 days awaiting placement. Our unit is fairly small from and these kids rarely, if ever, get to go outdoors or run around a gym, etc. I think it would do a world of good for these kids to get some outdoor play time at least every other day. What do YOU do on your units? What kinds of facilities do you have access to? These poor kids are bored with movies and the same old card games. HELP! I want your ideas and thoughts!
Thank you!
Amy

Do you guys have a "level system"? I know when I worked on a child unit, they had a token system and if they had earned enough points to be level 2, they'd get outside time, time to go to the playground on campus or the gymnasium.

elkpark · Nov 29, 2009

Our kids go to the gym at least daily and outside for activities and exercise/play in the fenced lawn/yard area daily as much as weather permits (except for individual kids considered too acutely dangerous to leave the unit). The fenced area isn't v. large, but at least it's some grass, fresh air, and sunshine!

HendersonRN · Nov 29, 2009

We do not have the level system you are speaking of but I think something like that sounds great! If you can provide more specific info on the criteria you use to determine levels I would appreciate it. Another difficulty we have is perhaps access to a playground area but I know there are at least some open area to kick a ball , jump rope or run around. I would like to encourage the development of at least a small fenced play area. I am open to any and all ideas to encourage these kids to progress, give them some reward for "working" their program. I feel like things need to be more clear-cut for these kids so they are clear on expectations and then rewarded when the expectations are met. Thanks and keep the info coming!

pinkiepie_RN · Nov 29, 2009

We do not have the level system you are speaking of but I think something like that sounds great! If you can provide more specific info on the criteria you use to determine levels I would appreciate it. Another difficulty we have is perhaps access to a playground area but I know there are at least some open area to kick a ball , jump rope or run around. I would like to encourage the development of at least a small fenced play area. I am open to any and all ideas to encourage these kids to progress, give them some reward for "working" their program. I feel like things need to be more clear-cut for these kids so they are clear on expectations and then rewarded when the expectations are met. Thanks and keep the info coming!

I'll have to get in touch with my friend that still works at that hospital, but I do know it was based on them getting "points" for doing things like making their bed, performing ADLs, going to groups, etc.

HendersonRN · Nov 29, 2009

Thanks! I would really appreciate it!!

Smitty08 · Nov 30, 2009

I like the way you think, however, you may find yourself coming up against a brick wall! I have often heard from inpt. facilities that "...the insurance says if they are able to leave the unit, they are able to be discharged.." This may be an issue where you work. What a messed up health care system we have!

elkpark · Nov 30, 2009

I have often heard from inpt. facilities that "...the insurance says if they are able to leave the unit, they are able to be discharged.." This may be an issue where you work. What a messed up health care system we have!

That has been the case for a v. long time with passes and therapeutic leaves, which we used to use in psych to test whether people were able to function at home but are no longer able to do ("if the client is well enough to go home for a day, he's well enough to be discharged"). However, I've never heard anyone suggest a problem with leaving the unit to go somewhere else within the facility. What we're talking about here is part of the treatment plan -- activities therapy staff are the ones who take our kids to the gym and/or outside (still on the hospital grounds) as part of the activity therapy program. Shoot, most of our clients go to the cafeteria three times a day for meals -- hope the insurance companies don't find out about that!

(BTW, the kids' unit on which I work now, and most every one I've ever been aware of, has had a "points" or "levels" system similar to what dolce is describing.)