what are your thoughts...

[kk2000]

A male patient, usually continent of urine and stool. Left side weakness, can use the commode with a transfer assist.

In hospital for testing and some confusion- requests repeatedly for assistance to the bedside commode for a BM. Nurse puts brief on him and tells him to "just go in your diaper"

Continues to use call bell every 1/2 hour or so, very politely explaining that he does not want to go in the diaper and could someone please assist to commode. Is repeatedly told to go in the diaper.

Wife explains that although he is a bit confused he feels demeaned having to lie in his own stool-still no assistance.

Thoughts?????

thanks

[kk2000]

Thanks to all that replied. I should have made it clear in my original post that this is not a patient of mine. My mom just told me this happened to my dad last time he was in the hospital. I am disgusted. He is back in the hospital and she doesn't want to speak up about this situation.

I am appalled by it and plan to take a drive down there tomorrow. Can't imagine what the excuse is going to be- he is not a hard transfer-guess I just couldn't believe it and needed to get some validation.

I am a huge advocate for independence-yes we all get busy, etc. this takes the cake, though.

I am a new grad and I hope I never lose sight of dignity and independence for my clients.

Thanks to all-

K-

[Cute_CNA, CNA]

I'm just a pre-nursing student, but my heart broke when I read this. I feel very sorry for that poor man and would like to have the nurse have a BM in HER diaper....:angryfire

:chuckle I agree.

[gr8rnpjt, RN]

Thanks to all that replied. I should have made it clear in my original post that this is not a patient of mine. My mom just told me this happened to my dad last time he was in the hospital. I am disgusted. He is back in the hospital and she doesn't want to speak up about this situation.

I am appalled by it and plan to take a drive down there tomorrow. Can't imagine what the excuse is going to be- he is not a hard transfer-guess I just couldn't believe it and needed to get some validation.

I am a huge advocate for independence-yes we all get busy, etc. this takes the cake, though.

I am a new grad and I hope I never lose sight of dignity and independence for my clients.

Thanks to all-

K-

kk2000,

This is a horrible situation and I feel very badly for your Dad and Mom. If it should happen in your presence, you should as to speak with an administrator or supervisor. This is abuse pure and simple, physical, and emotional.

My son is currently riding the potty train and I cannot imagine why anyone would consider changing a diaper easier than emptying a potty chair.

[babynurselsa, RN]

I would request the floor manager come to the room. I would then get her opinion on this.

This is beyond out of line. Diapers are not meant for the continent.

Tell your mom if she down't want to speak up about it to take one of the diapers home and she is to use it next time she has to go......

[dawn1971]

I saw this last semester when I was doing clinicals at a LTC, (yes, even in continent pts). It made me SOOOO mad. In my experience it seemed to be a case that if a person used the call light, a nurse would answer. If they had to go to get up to the restroom, the nurse would have to assist (it was usually RIGHT THEN that they had to go, so they couldn't wait for a CNA. Instead, the nurse would try to talk the pt into going into a brief so that it could be delegated LATER to a CNA (ie: "You did what? Okay, I'll get someone to clean you up), and they had to sit in it until the CNA got there. It was just my observation at this LTC. SAD. Don't let that bad situation with a lazy nurse sway your dad's rights!

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I find that positively appalling. Especially on a floor taking care of stroke patients where we are supposed to be maximizing their potential. It makes me wonder what the other priorities were on the floor that overshadowed his basic need.

I remember hearing a CNA tell a patient once that it was "ok to just go, you're wearing a diaper". I let her know that it was not acceptable and that she could take the 30 seconds needed to pop her onto a bedpan - i even offered to help her....

some things never change.... that makes me sad...

[Lorie P.]

how awful, we are advocates for our pts' and it is part of the healthcare teams goal is to get the pt back to doing as many adl's as they possibly can on their own ar with assistance.

i would have wrote that person up with a second thought. how would they like it if someone told their family memember to go in a diaper??

it just gripes me to no end when health care workers do not do what they are suppose too. it is ones like this that gives the rest of the healthcare team a bad rap and name.

please bring this to someone attention, this poor man's dignity needs to be maintained.

[letina]

Thanks to all that replied. I should have made it clear in my original post that this is not a patient of mine. My mom just told me this happened to my dad last time he was in the hospital.

You know what? As I was reading thru all the posts, I had decided I was going to respond with "this is someone's husband/father/grandfather and would any decent person want their own loved one treated this way?"

Then when I read you are speaking of your dad, I was shocked. How awful for you

Please.......if your mom feels unable to confront this situation, you MUST advocate for your dad (and your mom too). It's completely unacceptable

[smilin_gp]

Definitely advocate! It appears that the nurse who took care of him (hopefully this is not commonplace in that hospital) had little regard for his skin integrity, risk of infections, mobility, or most of all . . . pride! It is so disgusting for nursing staff to add to the difficulties faced by someone who has had a stroke in that way.

[HappyJaxRN]

A male patient, usually continent of urine and stool. Left side weakness, can use the commode with a transfer assist.

In hospital for testing and some confusion- requests repeatedly for assistance to the bedside commode for a BM. Nurse puts brief on him and tells him to "just go in your diaper"

Continues to use call bell every 1/2 hour or so, very politely explaining that he does not want to go in the diaper and could someone please assist to commode. Is repeatedly told to go in the diaper.

Wife explains that although he is a bit confused he feels demeaned having to lie in his own stool-still no assistance.

Thoughts?????

thanks

My thoughts? Are you sure you want them?? That's pathetic. Very pathetic. Whoever put a diaper on him and told him to poop in his own pants like an infant needs to put diapers on and be strapped to a bed so they can't get out....and let them poop on themselves... Bet they would never do that to someone else again!

[DaFreak71]

At my nursing school, we are not allowed to call them diapers. We call them briefs in an effort to blunt the connotations of being a baby. I am so sorry for what happened to your dad. It makes me so mad that he's embarrassed over some lazy *%&$@ nurse who didn't want to bothered. :angryfire There is never an excuse for that.

Adri

[crb613, BSN, RN]

This is so wild reading this because this type of thing happened yesterday at my clinicals. One of the client's I had that day was very hard to get up, and walked very slow w/walker, but he could walk w/help. I came into the room after lunch & 2 CNA's were in the room, he wanted to go to the b-room. I overheard one of them tell him to use the bedside commode, & he said no I would like to go to the bathroom. He was explaining it was bad enough to be in his current condition & he would like some privacy, in the b-room w/door shut. The CNA told him no you can't walk well enough, & it's too hard to get you to the b-room, & you will just have to use the bc. This made me so mad....I spoke up & said he will not use the bc...he can walk, & he will be taken to the b-room. He was so thankful, & thanked me repeatedly......How sad I thought to have to beg & reason for a little dignity & privacy.