NrsJena

Was in the area yesterday and noticed all the construction....Uggg. If I had known it was that bad-I would have warned you. I'm assuming you came in by 77S. Think you'll be ok to find it again Monday or do you want some help? Glad to hear it went well. What did you think? Aultman is actually only about a two minute drive from Mercy, makes my life easier some days :)

I'm sure you've already done a Mapquest it-but if you need a hand with directions, you can pm me

I am familiar with 6, which is actually leased by Select and is seperate from Mercy, and 2M (Med-Surg), but have found the staff all over to be very friendly and helpful hospital-wide. It's big-but still in a small town way. I'm not familiar with the 9M unit though, so I can't help you there. I will be doing clinicals on 7M, starting next week. It's pretty easy to find your way around, but shout at me if you need help. (I've managed to get lost a few times..) Good luck-let me know how the interview went :)

Mercy is in my backyard. Have worked there through staffing and had family on med-surg. Will also be starting clinicals there next week. It is a great place, with very friendly and helpful people. Good luck.

I can handle pretty much anything-nasty wounds, smelly odors and all body fluids. But I absolutely can't stand lice. They have to be the most disgusting things I have ever seen......Had to do head checks in school once, felt faint when I actually found a infestation with LIVE BUGS. Took everything I had not to scream and run.

In eastern Ohio-there is atleast one major hosp that has phased out their LPNs in clinical areas outside of their geriatric rehab or adjacent nursing home. Outside of LTC-jobs are getting harder to find.

I was actually taught that by getting the "clear" mixed into the cloudy vial- wouldn't damage the insulin- but to have the "cloudy" mix-it would due to the change in the duration of action.

I can relate. I love HH- but it is a juggle most of the time. In the hosp, you have virtually immediate access to lab values and other important info. The docs actually communicate with you! In HH- it is difficult to give good care with half information most of the time.

I am so frustrated and feel totally responsible! Have been doing HH for two years now- and love it. I do skilled visits and just started seeing this new client, only one visit so far. Per inital report from RN and Therapist- client is inapproriate for homecare. VERY sick lady-with a psyc history to boot. Had been septic prior to discharge, in hosp for over two months. Got a call yesterday from husband that client became "weak" in shower in am (it was after 1:00 when I got the message and called back). BS ok, denied SOB. Had blood cultures down a few days ago, clean, but he took her to the Outpatient lab for a low calcium follow-up. New order to take suppliments and had a DR appt for today. Told him I had not gotten those levels and was unaware of the levels, but that she should limit her activity and drink plenty of liquids (Dr. questioned dehydration last week). I also told him to take her to the ER immediately if she got worse. Found out late today that her husband found her "doubled over the bed" this morning and she was admitted to the ICU for the low Ca. I am shocked, first of all. I saw her last week- all VS WNL, no arrythmias on auscultation- denied all problems except for feeling tired (which went with the possible dehydration, or so I thought) When I called the RN sup, she told me that she was not suprised since the client has been noncompliant with meds (this was news to me). I really feel like I dropped the ball on this one. I should have made the connection between the possible low calcium and the "weakness". I know that the Dr was aware-had prescribed the suppliments and was re-checking, but I still feel like I should have seen something more here.The Dr was aware, but the weakness should have red flagged the cardiac symptoms in my head. I don't know- but I am very frustrated with myself right now for missing the connection. I'm frustrated with the way we never know things untill after the fact-never know those lab levels that could turn so critical-and have no clue what's going on with our patients in between visits. GRRR....Thanks for letting me vent.

The nurse who gives it. Scarey- but true. Why do you think the characteristics of insulin are pounded it our heads?

In Homecare, I have worked with several vacs. I agree with all the above. FYI- also have noted problems with y-connectors not sealing tight causing an "air leak" alarm. Took forever to figure that one out. :)

me too :)

I agree with Tweety- after a few, it gets easier. :) I have never used any powder under the foam, but if that was the order, I'm sure there was a reason. She will be fine without it though. For future reference, adaptic can be applied to the tissue under the foam. This helps prevent the foam from adhering to the tissue so much. As for the plastic circle where the tube connects: you are right. This should be placed completely over the foam. The fun part is trying to "bridge it"-UGH. But that is another story.... :) You did fine. Next time will be easier :)

Update: Got the order for Santyl- two weeks in and the slough is down by about 40%. Eschar completely gone. In regard to payment: a total PIA! I ended up having to call the insurence company and down-load the formulary to actually look up what would be covered. The pharmacy apparently does not have an update formulary on site. But-alls well that ends well. We have addressed the pressure- and given education to caregiver to limit time OOB and re-position q2 hrs. As for the VAC- I have used it previously with mixed results. Once it's clean- we'll see what we have and go from there. I have worked with KCI many times- have the local consultant's number on my cell- won't dream of working with any other. :) Thank you all for the wonderful advice!!

When I finished LPN school- I received two cool gifts. A gift certificate to a uniform shop and an adorable snow babies nurse figurine. The latter helped me get the uniforms I needed for my "new" job- the former started a collection I love to look at and add to all the time. EBay has some really cute things. Edited for spelling- not enough coffee yet! :)