Rash of UTIs

[SuesquatchRN]

We have entirely too many, as far as I am concerned, and it comes down to poor peri care.

Does anyone have any suggestions for how to get the aides to do this properly? I work with a bunch of very defensive, dismissive aides and they are backed up by some very defensive, dismissive nurses.

Thanks in advance.

[teeniebert, LPN]

Another thought about water intake. Having it there isn't always all that's needed. People forget to drink if not reminded, and some can't reach for the glass, get the straw in their mouth, or pour from the pitcher. If encouraging fluids is the idea, someone has to be there to do it often. I think patients get concentrated urine lots of times because while fluid is there, thickened or not, they aren't able to do what they need to do to get it in themselves.

Also think about cup size. At my facility, water is passed in 12-oz styrofoam cups with straws and lids. 12 oz. is very heavy when you have weakness and/or arthritis in your hands. There are 2 residents who weren't drinking enough no matter how many times we encouraged/assisted them to drink from the large cups. With a 4 oz. plastic cup, they're able to pick it up and drink independently. Instead of helping them with the large cup, now we pour some water from the large cup into the small one at each encounter, and they drink it when they're ready. Empowerment is a huge motivator.