The life or death squatty potty

Nurses General Nursing

Published

So I just had to share this with people that would understand. Not a rant, just a quick story.

On my ICU floor, we have a stool like object that we use during CPR since or beds are pretty tall. I come into work to see the stool in a patients room. Apparently, she had been using it as a squatty potty. Maybe 10 minutes later, a different patient codes. While we're working on her. I tell the cna which room the stool is in for her to go get. She comes back and says that the patient wouldn't let her take it, even after she explained to the patient that we need it for a code, happening right now.

There are plenty of staff in the room (asking for the stool actually) so I run over and just grab the stool, all the while I can hear the patient making a big stink about me taking her squatty potty. I was just amazed by her selfishness. Stool should not have even been in her room.

She did complain to my charge nurse, but no one really cared.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Prancercise? You're talking about JP Sears? OMG, that man absolutely KILLS me! The lady that does them, retina scarring is being kind. If you have not checked out JP, please do. He's a regular riot.

No, this is a woman - Joanna Rohrback.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.
No, this is a woman - Joanna Rohrback.

Yeah, she's...very interesting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

This is hilarious. But on another note, maybe you guys need more than 1 stool? I use them all the time to prop feet up when up in a chair etc. Most places ive worked have had one in each room.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

Stools, stools should be everywhere!

:eek: :eek:

Which is NOT the same thing as STOOL everywhere.

Just some thoughts. Sell it as a SAFETY issue.

Perhaps a way to reduce falls, or employee injury and thus a worker's comp/lost time claim.

Stools are cheap compared to spinal fusion. Ask a lawyer.

I'm still in LUCAS camp, but ...

Practice SAFE!

Perhaps we could get together and do the SAVE YOU CIRCUIT WORKOUT and make what nurses do in a dance workout format to sell for fitness. Make it fun. With stools, of course. With music. And prance at the end. No high kicks. However, jazz hands optional.

Love you AN folks, you rock!

:angel:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg/Infection Control/Geriatrics.
I hope the aide was educated on how to handle a situation like that if it were to occur again. The patient telling her no and her going "uh. Ok" should never have been a thing.

I agree. The patients are not in charge. But it might have been a good idea to state: "We have an emergency, this should not have been left in your room as it is exclusively for staff use. It will be removed. Thank you."

Let her throw her tantrum. Keep moving but follow up later with your Charge to keep her/him in the loop.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment