tex

I have been the MDS cord for 2+years. I have learned to stream line, but it is true it does vary. Espically if your resident has mental issues, behavior, mood, pain, falls etc. On a complexed resident it can take me longer, if not interrupted of course. On an average for a complexed resident, up to 8 hrs. I use to think that that is too long of a time, but when state came in and read my raps the loved them. Other MDs cord w/more experience than myself are able to it in a shorter time. These MDS cord that I have asked the same question to on this web site. Talino is a great source of info as well as some others that I can't recal their names. Tex

Never can replace the experience of Med Surg nursing. Even now I have to roladex my memory to do certain skills, thank God I did it when I first graduated.

In our facility, if the MRSA is colonized then we don't observe isolation prec. I had a pt just admitted w/MRSA of the skin. (MRSE) thinking that is what it was, anyway She got sick quick on me, pulmonary edema. She had started a cough that went down hill in hours. I masked immediately when I noted her cough. If it is respiratory MRSA, our pts may come out of their room but w/a mask on until we get a report stating it is colonized. We have another one w/MRSA of her eye. She must wear an eye patch to come out of her room. Tex

We all unfortuately go through the low census symdrome. I think what you are saying do you work for a chain of LTC's? Hope your DON is giving them facts and providing a good arguement for your needs. Currently we are going through this, it is summer! and this happens. Our DON and ADON will work the floor, to ease tensions and to keep their staff. I am the MDS cord., and can't afford to stop what I am doing. But this weekend I am supervising, and working the floor. My response to my DON and ADON, no problem= they have busted their butts for me when I first took this job. But they are acutely aware that the MDS's will not get done, so they will have to pitch in for my work also. Our owner has an opened door policy, she is great and is a stablizer for us, this is family owned. I work in a 122 bed. And you are correct, I don't do this on a reg basis at all, and it will take me all morning to just do my first med pass + treatments and this is days. On first shift, 1st floor we have a census of 35, 2 nurses + 4 CNAs, 2nd floor 2 nurses 5 Cna's for 57 residents., 2 shift the same for the exception of one less cna on 1st floor. 3rd shift, one nurse for each floor, 5 cnas in the building. It has been tough of late. But the nurses and cna's are very comfortable going to our DON/Adon and asking for help and telling it like it is. When either the DON/ADON or me see that someone is sinking , we will go and assist the nurse with med passes, make beds, give baths, chg briefs. Good luck to you. Remember these little people really depend on you but you can only do so much. Having an emergency ruins what ever you are doing for q one else. Call your don/adon or MDS nurse for help.........Tex

I would also like info on the laser light alarm. Thanks Tex

gOOD TO HEAR from someone in Corpus Christi tex I was born and raised there.............I currently am a RN cordinator in North carolina.........tex