Policy for passing fresh water?

jetsetter · Feb 11, 2005

Our techs are supposed to pass at least once a shift, more on an individual basis.

AlixCoastRN · Feb 11, 2005

As long as there are no restrictions, all residents get fresh ice water after breakfast, at the start of evening shift, and at the start of night shift. Those on thickened fluids are offers appropriate fluids at the same time.

donmomofnine · Feb 11, 2005

same for us!

webblarsk · Feb 11, 2005

At the beginning of each shift. And I believe they are gathered up once a week and washed!

tylerlvn · Feb 12, 2005

Our aides pass ice water at the beginning of each shilft and the containers washed every other night on graveyards.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Feb 12, 2005

We had too much trouble getting our pitchers back from the kitchen after they had been washed, so we bought scads of cheaper ones and the residents get a new pitcher each Sunday. CNA's are supposed to fill them at the beginning of the day and once on 3-11.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Feb 14, 2005

If fresh water isn't given at least 2X a shift..I will have a cow! My folks need it, and usually will not drink water unless it is ice cold! Heck, I won't even drink water if it has been out gathering floaties for hours!

My CNA staff is awesome at this...beats the heck out of giving enemas because of constipation issues, or having do do all the PRN paperwork for headaches r/t dehydration (and various other probelms)...and it doesn't take long to fill a glass, pitcher or sports bottle! It also helps that ALL our residents have a refridge, so we get them water bottles and have them at the ready...just grab a new one and wash the old one out...fill it and put it back in fridge for the next time!

stevierae · Feb 14, 2005

You know--I must be getting really old (I just turned 51--) but it never ceases to amaze me how these days a policy (and a detailed description of how to carry out the procedure, cookbook fashion) seems to be necessary for every little thing. What ever happened to common sense and good old critical thinking--i.e., simply passing fresh water when it makes sense--at the beginning of each shift, and prn at all times in between? Not only upon request of the patient, but perhaps asking the patient if he needs fresh water, or encouraging him to drink more clear liquids, including fresh water, whenever one is in the room doing whatever assessment one is doing?

I remember the days when we didn't even have such things as policy and procedure manuals---we were expected to use our knowledge, skills, training, experience, gut instinct, and of course whatever fundamentals we had learned in nursing school.

I do realize, though, that P&P manuals are now mandated by JCAHO, and must be produced on demand, so I can see why the OP asked the question. It just seems a sad commentary on today's health care delivery system that JCAHO, or whoever the beancounters du jour might be, thinks that we don't have enough common sense to ensure that our patients get fresh water prn, out of clean pitchers and glasses (washing those once a week and prn) without referencing a P&P manual.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2005

You know--I must be getting really old (I just turned 51--) but it never ceases to amaze me how these days a policy (and a detailed description of how to carry out the procedure, cookbook fashion) seems to be necessary for every little thing. What ever happened to common sense and good old critical thinking--i.e., simply passing fresh water when it makes sense--at the beginning of each shift, and prn at all times in between? Not only upon request of the patient, but perhaps asking the patient if he needs fresh water, or encouraging him to drink more clear liquids, including fresh water, whenever one is in the room doing whatever assessment one is doing?
I remember the days when we didn't even have such things as policy and procedure manuals---we were expected to use our knowledge, skills, training, experience, gut instinct, and of course whatever fundamentals we had learned in nursing school.
I do realize, though, that P&P manuals are now mandated by JCAHO, and must be produced on demand, so I can see why the OP asked the question. It just seems a sad commentary on today's health care delivery system that JCAHO, or whoever the beancounters du jour might be, thinks that we don't have enough common sense to ensure that our patients get fresh water prn, out of clean pitchers and glasses (washing those once a week and prn) without referencing a P&P manual.

I agree, but we still have a policy and procedure on how to perform pericare, nail grooming, shaving etc. Sad thing was that I had to actually show a CNA this...yep..Just wanted to reinforce the fact that soap and water was used in pericare and drying afterwards was also needed :rolleyes:

We pass water in the 7-3 shift, 3-11 puts out new pitchers (large styrofoam cups) I think 11-7 should refill also (bet its not done). I remeber the day when working 3-11 as CNA we used to collect the pitchers, run them thru the dishwasher then have to refill and pass..like there wasn't enough to do.

southern_rn_brat · Feb 14, 2005

If fresh water isn't given at least 2X a shift..I will have a cow! My folks need it, and usually will not drink water unless it is ice cold! Heck, I won't even drink water if it has been out gathering floaties for hours!
My CNA staff is awesome at this...beats the heck out of giving enemas because of constipation issues, or having do do all the PRN paperwork for headaches r/t dehydration (and various other probelms)...and it doesn't take long to fill a glass, pitcher or sports bottle! It also helps that ALL our residents have a refridge, so we get them water bottles and have them at the ready...just grab a new one and wash the old one out...fill it and put it back in fridge for the next time!

you expect your cna's to pass water TWICE during their shift?

not now, RN · Feb 22, 2005

We are supposed to pass frsh water every shift. If there aren't clean pitchers (because the kitchen hasn't gotten to them) then we at least dump what they have and add fresh water and ice.