pt enjoys pericare too much...

moz · Oct 27, 2004

My sister works in LTC, just started this place a month or so ago (I work L&D). Anyway she has a pt who seems to enjoy being cleaned after using the bedpan. She says things when being cleaned, like "THERE, THERE, RIGHT THERE", and today it was "wipe my lady parts deeper". Yuck. :uhoh21: I don't know how "with it" or not she is, she is able to feed herself, so I'm thinking why couldn't they adapt a way for her to clean herself while still in bed. Any ideas??

avahsmiles · Oct 27, 2004

If she is able to feed herself, she is able to cleanse her peri area. We only wash this region if patients are too ill to do this themselves. Hand her the cloth & just 'encourage' her to wash herself. :uhoh21:

:)

avahsmiles · Oct 27, 2004

If she is able to feed herself, she is able to cleanse her peri area. We only wash this region if patients are too ill to do this themselves. Hand her the cloth & just 'encourage' her to wash herself. :uhoh21:

:)

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Oct 27, 2004

Exactly, and document the results as well. If she is able to clean herself well, than that would be a very good thing to put into the chart for not only your sis, but others having to care for her as well. And she should encourage everyone to do this...because if one person gives in, then its a tougher battle!

We had a very similar probelm with a resident that is rather independant, but kept having caregivers clean her peri area 'too well' while she was showering! Pretty much as you discribed it...must more 'invasive' in the lady partsl and rectal areas! We put a stop to that really soon, because who knows if she chose to complain and play the old 'sexually inappropriate' card. It was documented very well, and she is responsible for her pericare (also it costs more money at our facility if we do her pericare..and that really hit a sore spot with her family).

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Oct 27, 2004

Exactly, and document the results as well. If she is able to clean herself well, than that would be a very good thing to put into the chart for not only your sis, but others having to care for her as well. And she should encourage everyone to do this...because if one person gives in, then its a tougher battle!

We had a very similar probelm with a resident that is rather independant, but kept having caregivers clean her peri area 'too well' while she was showering! Pretty much as you discribed it...must more 'invasive' in the lady partsl and rectal areas! We put a stop to that really soon, because who knows if she chose to complain and play the old 'sexually inappropriate' card. It was documented very well, and she is responsible for her pericare (also it costs more money at our facility if we do her pericare..and that really hit a sore spot with her family).

mattsmom81 · Oct 27, 2004

Uggh. I remember feeling so used when I was a young nurse and encountered these types, male and female. I recall quite a few who begged for rectal suppositories too...'the longest one, honey the longest one'. >>

We learn how to deal with these types. Sad we have to encounter them but they're out there.

Be firm and even if it takes more time, never do something involving personal care that the patient can do for themselves; I've seen many naive young things hoodwinked into doing things for someone who is quite capable...just wants the uh...personal attention (no pun intended)

mattsmom81 · Oct 27, 2004

Uggh. I remember feeling so used when I was a young nurse and encountered these types, male and female. I recall quite a few who begged for rectal suppositories too...'the longest one, honey the longest one'. >>

We learn how to deal with these types. Sad we have to encounter them but they're out there.

Be firm and even if it takes more time, never do something involving personal care that the patient can do for themselves; I've seen many naive young things hoodwinked into doing things for someone who is quite capable...just wants the uh...personal attention (no pun intended)

lovingtheunloved, ASN, RN · Oct 29, 2004

I've encountered several of these. Hand them the washcloths, tell them which has soap and which has water, and say "I will come back in a few minutes to take the washcloths away." After a few tries, this usually works. If the person can understand, tell them that those comments are inappropriate. We need to encourage them to do everything for themselves that they can. How can they maintain their skills if they don't use them?

moz · Nov 2, 2004

Just talked to my sister, said things may be better. She was taking care of her and the woman asked her why nobody liked to clean her and my sister said "because you make them feel uncomfortable with your comments, acting horny all the time". She had no response to that, but did apologize to the aide that works my sister's shift. So guess time will tell. Thanks for your responses...I agree too that pts need to do as much as they can for themselves and we need to help them help themselves.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Nov 2, 2004

How about a referral to your facility's Occupational Therapy department? Perhaps they can give her some adaptive equipment to use if she really can't wash by herself.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2004

I agree occupational therapy, and redirection is best. A quiet conversation with her to ask that she help herself more and stop the comments during peri care explaining that it makes staff uncomfortable would have been sufficient. Remember people continue to be sexual beings even after they move to a nursing home.

OH ,, and moz,, if your sister actually said that to that woman her comment was as inappropriate as the womans comments during peri-care. Professionals handle those situations a little more dignified than phrasing it like that, "acting horney all the time"? come on,, would you have phrased it to your grandmother like that?