Patients wants a back rub

chopwood carrywater · Jul 21, 2015

At the risk of seeming snarky, you've been a nurse for 33 years and you don't know about back rubs? There's nothing lewd or lascivious about them.
Actually anytime someone says "you've been a nurse for XXX years and you don't know (enter a topic), it is a put-down. I did say that the back rub was icky (to me) but definitely not "lewd or lascivious."
Overall, I learned a lot from the responses on this topic. I haven't done hospital nursing in a very long time. I can see circumstances in which massage techniques would be very comforting.
However, I really stiffen up if someone touches me and I would not like it if a colleague were holding my hand. I had a coworker who liked to hold hands and stroke my arms. Major stress; I had to nip that in the bud. If a patient needed to hold my hand, that's fine.

I understand that for some people touch is very uncomfortable. And when that's the case, then I would never expect that person to get or give a massage.

And I totally agree with 'been there done that' re the time crunch and the current health care model of time is money.

Finally, if no one else is going to pick up this piece of low hanging fruit...

"Different strokes for different folks ".

Farawyn · Jul 21, 2015

I understand that for some people touch is very uncomfortable. And when that's the case, then I would never expect that person to get or give a massage.
And I totally agree with 'been there done that' re the time crunch and the current health care model of time is money.
Finally, if no one else is going to pick up this piece of low hanging fruit...
"Different strokes for different folks ".

:up: Yea, it was right there.

ERGirl83 · Jul 21, 2015

Not going to lie, never being asked for a back rub is one of the great perks of being an ED Nurse. You are all wonderful nurses, and I'm glad you do these small acts of kindness for your patients. I just know I'm in the right place for me, because it's just not my thing.

chopwood carrywater · Jul 21, 2015

I am impressed with those of you that have found meaningful ways to make your patients feel comfort. My ick-factor was with a patient demanding a "back rub" the same way you would tell someone to go pick up your dry cleaning. She wasn't in pain; she was entitled and rude and it "rubbed me the wrong way."
I think massage is wonderful. However, when it is incorporated into "standard hs care" then it is nothing more than a ritual. When used in the thoughtful, considered and individualized way that some of you have presented it is truly caring.
I do wonder though how many of our male colleagues would give back rubs to male patients or female patients? I ask the gender question because I think "back rub" has gender connotations. I am being really genuine here--"male nurses" (sorry), if the trucker in room 212 rings the bell for a back rub, would you have any hesitation in providing it? [irregardless of anyone's sexual orientation, and the trucker could be a woman]

Male nurse here; no issues with me giving one to a guy or gal. My main concern would be that they are not uncomfortable with me.

I'm also pretty good with most animals as well.

Farawyn · Jul 21, 2015

Male nurse here; no issues with me giving one to a guy or gal. My main concern would be that they are not uncomfortable with me.
I'm also pretty good with most animals as well.

But how are you with the trucker in room 212?

cardiacfreak, ADN · Jul 21, 2015

I had a pt who we were trying desperately to start an IV on, we had stuck her like 10 times. Finally, she said enough is enough and refused anymore sticks. I really couldn't blame her, anyway, she asked me if I would please rub her back. She had chronic back pain d/t degenerative changes.

My first reaction was uhhh no way no how. Then I thought about how many times we had stuck her unsuccessfully, so I relented and rubbed her back for a few minutes. She was very appreciative and thanked me profusely.

Thirty minutes after I rubbed her back she coded and died. NSTEMI! I was so glad I had rubbed her back.

Glycerine82, LPN · Jul 21, 2015

I think touch is so important. I had a patient when I worked LTC who had the worst leg cramps. If I had extra time I would rub her feet and legs with lotion and she was always so grateful and slept much better.

I've also been known to kiss a few foreheads, can't help it.

I actually really miss it, I think that's where I'll end up.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2015

I've never had a pt who expected a nightly back rub (watch, it'll happen tomorrow!! haha). I imagine the attitude behind the request would influence how I felt about it.

But in general I like being able to do them, providing I have the time and that the pt understands I am not a trained massage therapist. Back rubs shouldn't be an expectation of our SOs either, but I'll give my husband one, or I'll massage children's legs for growth cramps. It helps a pt perfuse his skin, reducing his risk of pressure ulcers. Human touch can enhance a pt's feelings of well-being and aid in relaxation, which in turn aids in their physical well-being--including as an non-pharmacological adjunct to pain meds.

The other night I floated to the MICU and cared for a 90-something woman with urosepsis. She was in the ICU because she was on a couple of pressors, but was not intubated. She had baseline dementia, so the MDs were reluctant to write for anything stronger than Tylenol (not EBP, but was their decision. Grr.) This poor woman had arthritis and was not strong enough to reposition herself; all she did was call out for help and tell us she was hurting. At one point she specifically complained about pain in her shoulders; i gave her her Tylenol, repositioned her, and then decided to massage her shoulders. I sensed a decreased body tension within seconds, and she started to say "That's good dear. That's good dear." That made ME feel good as a nurse! :)

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2015

We even had to place the bottle of lotion in warm water.

The experienced CNAs at my first job taught me how to do this. One said that someone had once told her she didn't need to do that--the lotion was already room temp. Her response: "But the resident's body is not room temp." Brilliant. :up:

Whenever we gave a bed bath, we put the lotion bottle into the wash basin to warm up as we worked. I still do this.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2015

Now the last time I was in the hospital I was told I wasn't allowed to shower and was given no other alternative for bathing and had a note left on my bedside tablet explaining that they don't change sheets except when visibly soiled because "the environment" and no one even straightened the ones I had at any point.

:eek: I wonder what Florence would think? Nah, you don't need fresh linens. And shame on you for prioritizing your comfort over "the environment." I know it would affect my satisfaction survey answers.

CocoaLoverFNP · Jul 21, 2015

I would be really honest and will say that I do not like giving back rubs. It also gives me that -icky feeling....

This conversation reminded me of my former manager. She made a comment that the nurses nowadays love to use gloves during any type of patient care WHILE when she was a bedside nurse 20-some years ago, they didn't wear gloves even when changing diapers. I am sorry to hear that times have changed. But I can't even imagine not wearing gloves when changing diapers.

So therefore, when a patient asks for a back rub, I will do it but will wear gloves (relieves my anxiety about that -icky feeing). Also, I will only do it for 3 to 5 minutes. Longer than that, I will have to give them the number of the professional massage therapist they can call for extra charge. They come to the hospital and provide private massages for an hour.

I just want to say how nurses that like to give back rubs are amazing!!!! You are all great nurses!

AllieSparksRN · Jul 21, 2015

For those nurses who do give patients backrubs: do you wear gloves or don't you? I'm curious...

My facility has a lotion we use too - that helps.