boztc

I'm so jealous. I wish we could get that kind of representation going for us here. I'll keep trying. We're going to Springfield next week to demonstrate for nurse-patient ratios. Last year our "professional organization" (INA) was intrumental in getting this measure defeated.

I'm in...a card-carrying member. I love these guys (and I'm not in a union.) The NNOC is the best place I've found for Patient Advocacy.

All I have is a couple of abstracts I found on the internet. I've got the hospital librarian doing a journal search, but she hasn't found much yet. When I read the articles I'll let you know. One was from The Journal of Emergency Management and it was referenced in the NE edition of The Spectrum. I want to find the ER that actually did the study and give them a call.

A couple of hospitals gave families little boxes with a digital thermometer, Tylenol and Motrin, and laminated dosage instructions. I'd like to include a couple of other things, too. The subsequent studies showed that lost charges for what were essentially well baby visits, went down by 50-100 thousand dollars a year after providing this service.

I'm looking for Emergency Nurses who have distributed Fever Kits to their Pediatric patients' families. I'd like to do this at my hospital, but I'm going to have to show that it will save the facility money before I can get approval. If you've had experience with this practice, or if you can turn me on to some articles, please respond.

I still remember, fondly, one of my favorite Docs. Under the H&P he once wrote "no findings." For a diagnosis, "Malingerer." God, I loved him!

Right on Sister! (Am I dating myself?) I agree. Union or not, I've been waiting 30 years for the profession to wake up and realize that there is power in numbers. Our "Professional Organizations" are obviously not capable/willing to advocate for us and our patients. We need to stand up for ourselves. My daughter expressed an interest in Nursing. I talked her out of it.

I have been contacted by a national nursing union and invited to attend their out of state "convention" next month. They are willing to pay my airfare and accomodations for 4 days. Plus...I will earn CEUs. Sweet, right? I originally joined the organization (not the union) to promote patient advocacy. That's how they got my contact information. I am not anti-union (probably more pro than con). This organization has done a lot to bring patient rights to the forefront, and is active in the legislature. Here's my dilemma....I can't find any information about a convention in the area. I'm sure they are trying to recruit me to organize for the union in my state, but we really didn't discuss that option. I'd be willing to get involved for health care reform, but the union thing....I'm not sure. So....should I accept the free trip and see what happens? Has anyone else experienced a similar situation?

It's a liability issue. Remember clinical judgement?

Try this link: http://www.more.com/more/story.jsp?storyid=/templatedata/more/story/data/1155644074080.xml&catref=cat5490036

Pretty sad, isn't it?

I had a 15 y/o female come (with a friend) to the ER to "get rid of" a pimple because she had a date that night. When we insisted on a parental permission before treatment, she became belligerent because she had "insurance" (public aid) that "pays (my) salary" and had "the right to see a doctor right away." P.S. The mother authorized treatment. There was also the guy with the vibrator (on) stuck in his rectum, the out-of-town salesman unable to remove a "cock ring" and the woman who inserted a tampon into her uninary meatus.

Just because they are drunk, it doesn't mean they are not sick. If they have an AMS, cut their clothes off to check for Trauma, intubate for respiratory compromise, insert a Foley and IV. Get some bloodwork. Provide (nasty) food and fluids when appropriate. Don't give cab vouchers. Also, for suspected drug-seekers, keep a private record of frequent visitors, refuse discharge until they can provide someone to take them home (to protect them from injury as a result of the clouded sensorium that may accompany the administration of narcotics). You can also get your buddies at the local PD to check for wants and warrants before you cut them loose. They may not ALL stop coming, but a few of them will look for an ER that is more convienient.

Birkenstocks. A firm sole (not softer one) is the answer.