Private duty patient orientation

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Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

I know all agencies are different, but I'd like your opinion. If you were assigned to take care of a toddler, with a trach, would you expect some sort of patient orientation, or would you just waltz into the home and wing it? Thanks

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I would not wing it, just because it could actually be very serious. small chance but its there.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It depends

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

If you're an experienced PDN, you walk in and find out info from the family and hit the ground running.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
If you're an experienced PDN, you walk in and find out info from the family and hit the ground running.

^^^if you're an experienced "high tech" trach/vent you take the 485 and go.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
^^^if you're an experienced "high tech" trach/vent you take the 485 and go.

Right! If you're really lucky, the parents go to bed as soon as you get your coat off.

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^^^if you're an experienced "high tech" trach/vent you take the 485 and go.

Agree with JustBeachy. I'm experienced PDN, but not trach/vent. I would ask for either in office training before or to be met at the pt house for orientation.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Ive encountered nurses who show up to take care of a vent/trach patient having never been in the same room with a ventilator in their entire lives, so the overall integrity of your agency would be considered. Hopefully, this would be a rare occurrence, but another reminder the nurse needs to protect the safety of the patient and themselves.

As mentioned, a review of the 485 prior to taking the assignment is indicated, and judging by what some nurses call "orientation", is probably preferable.

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Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

What if you walk into a dark room with twins you don't know which one is yours or where the suction catheters or meds or MARS are?

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Since I have never worked with trachs, children or ventilators I would expect a complete orientation. IMHO I would never work agency for the reason that they just throw you into situations and expect you to know what you're doing just because you have a license.

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That is totally unacceptable, in my parental yet experienced opinion. How can you assess your patient in a dark room?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
What if you walk into a dark room with twins you don't know which one is yours or where the suction catheters or meds or MARS are?

You ask outgoing nurse or parent (someone let you in!) get a flashlight (no one can work in the dark. If no one tells you call the agency to speak to a nurse manager.

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