AZRNHH

Good question!! I have usually put "0" on the depth of these ulcers because the depth is so small I cannot really measure it. But I suppose I could estimate that it is 0.01cm...Interesting question.

I do not think it is a good idea to "share" any dressing products among patients. This would never be done in a hospital and I don't think it should be done in a clinic either. There are too many risks of spreading bacteria (as you pointed out). The only way I could conceive of "sharing" supplies that would be safe would be if you precut everything using clean scissors before any patients were there-ie in the supply room where you would divide up the product and put it in separate packaging to be used that day for the clients that come in. I have a client I apply unna boots to his LE every week and sometimes I do have leftover-I seal it up in it's original packaging and have been able to use it 1-2 weeks later and it is still moist. I only do that because he is the only client and it is in his home where dressing changes are done in a "clean" and not "sterile" fashion. ?

The Unna Boot packaging we use has directions in how it is to be applied. The directions say to wrap from the toes upward and NOT to go back down. Be sure to follow instructions as indicated by the product packaging or by MD orders if you are doing anything else. :) I use the whole roll. When in the past I used less (per patient request not to wrap his entire calf) the results were not at good-he ended up with edema right above the top of where the unna boot ended. Since then I wrap the entire calf and get much better results. It was good that the patient saw it was better this way as well.

I wonder if once they receive your notice is they will realize they were shooting themselves in the foot by overloading you. Too bad the manager did not take the initiative to speak to you directly prior to this and ask for your help just temporarily (along with a nice big fat bonus) while they look for new nurses to help meet the need. Poor management practice. I hope they learn and grow. I wish you well.

The way I see it you want to promote your client's physical and emotional health. So, you've got a couple of things to consider: How long ago was the broken hip? What are the doctor/PT recommendations/restrictions based on her current condition? What amount of activity would be the most healthful for her? What are the pros of going out? What are the cons of going out? Then the issue of what the client wants. Identifying what she wants and reasons why. Maybe she would go out if XYZ were in place. I also wonder about those pushing for her to go do so because they think they are helping her? Also, at 95 maybe they feel they want family and friends to see her as much as possible since you never know how much time one has...would be interesting to know what they want and how to compromise. Could get togethers be done at the clinet's home instead? Just some thoughts. :)

I work for a Home Health Agency- not a hospital. That way I call the shots as to how many visits I want to take on any given day. Only downside is I have no benefits. Prior to Home Health I was at the County Health Dept. and prior to that at St. Mary's. What area do you work in?

So sorry. Don't give up though. Health care jobs rise and fall and right now it is a lull, but it will change again. What are you doing right now for work?

Thanks. I'm still learning to navigate to all the sites!

I looked in that section, but the forum was primarily for discussing programs and appeared to consist of nursing students in the process of applying for school. So I did not post there. I'll see if I get any takers here and then maybe try my luck there later! Thanks for the suggestion.

Am new to this community and was hoping to connect with other nurses in Tucson to chat, vent, laugh, share and maybe do some fun things with. Are there any nurses out there that meet? I work in Home Health and have been feeling a bit isolated/lonely at times (I work in a small company that only has 2 other HH nurses working for them) but would be happy to meet with nurses in any specialty. I searched quite a bit in different areas on this web site but was disappointed that I did not find any section where Tucson nurses chat-the Region tab only had a thread about the profession. Hmmmm. Also lots of old threads on other sites but it's hard to know who's still around. What have other nurses done to try to meet fellow professionals?