Last week she came into the nurses station and urinated while she told us something that was going on with a patient. We were shocked...I'm not talking a little dribble...pant leg was clinging to her leg with wetness. She left work and didn't come back the rest of the night.
When she came back the next day, we talked to her, suggesting disposable briefs (I hate using the word 'diaper' with an adult). Her response was that if she wears them, her pants won't fit because she lost so much weight she threw out her chubby pants (they are already bulging, pantyline cutting an outline). She is apologetic, but quite frank about her 'accidents', as if they are a fact of life that we all just have to deal with.
Didn't even get to approach the subject of her foul gas and B.O.
I think she must be under some kind of delusion about herself. It's simply bizarre. She seems to think that she is a little vixen, that some of our male staff has a crush on her (they say no way). She has even commented that since she 'looks so much younger than she really is, she would be willing to model for the hospital billboard. (she is 56, and looks every bit of it). Now, I am certainly not one to feel that heavy people can't model---I think it's great, in fact...but totally aside from her size, her saggy, disheveled, stinky presentation makes it unlikely that she is model material. To be fair, I am angry...angry that she is so inconsiderate, angry that she is not taking gentle cues, and frustrated at her---so I may be being more harsh than necessary.
I'm sure I'm not the only one to wonder if this woman isn't just desperately seeking ATTENTION.
Meerkat, if I were in your shoes, I'd vote with my feet and get the heck OUT of a place where such things are allowed to go on. This is beyond inconsiderate. This is beyond disgusting. This is a symptom of a seriously dysfunctional workplace, and your co-worker's issues are probably only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
You know, I was thinking the same thing. Does the offender realize that she has a problem and doesn't want to believe that it's as bad as it is? Maybe I can understand this type of situation and she may be angry/embarrassed herself. But if she does know what's going on, and possibly doing it deliberately, that's a problem which needs to be brought to management's attention. Have you all noticed a trend or patterns when this happens? If you can, I'd write them down (Have several coworkers document this) and present this to management.
Not only does this contribute to poor working/living conditions, it's a safety hazard as well...(duh).
About 8 years ago i worked with a woman who would wind up bleeding through her pants because " i don't like the way pads feel, and i can't use tampons" quote]
Yes, clotted, crusted, underwear is much more comfortable, and far less abrasive....
The first time she might have got out of there with an "Oh my!"
But peeing while having a conversation with me would have prompted me to jump out of the way and loudly proclaim "I can't believe you are standing here talking to me and peeing on yourself. You really need to get whatever is causing this problem fixed."
At that point, she would have been talking to herself. It is just too gross to be real.
The first time she might have got out of there with an "Oh my!"
But peeing while having a conversation with me would have prompted me to jump out of the way and loudly proclaim "I can't believe you are standing here talking to me and peeing on yourself. You really need to get whatever is causing this problem fixed."
At that point, she would have been talking to herself. It is just too gross to be real.
While your post is a model of appropriate response, it does have me :roll :roll . But in case it ever happens to me, I'll know just what to say.
Thanks.
BTW, there are chlorophyll caps that are said to assist with fragrant flatulence. And I have heard of some sort of panty liners with charcoal in them.
In all seriousness, I feel sorry for this woman. If things are exactly as described, she's got some mental issues as well as physical.
If it were me, I would keep a notebook at the desk and I would document each episode of incontinence or poor hygiene. I would also document any dialogue any of the staff had with her about each episode and her response. Straight up facts, no narrative. Then I'd have my co-workers initial the documentation. When my co-workers and I decided we had enough, I'd present a copy of the documentation to my charge nurse or immediate superior. It's going to be hard for a facility to argue with that.
I cna't believe that the patients she takes care haven't complained. Usually a patient complaint gets mngt off their behinds fast and they address an issue. She violates patient safety and asepsis if she has incontinent moments in the patient's room and soils the chairs.
leave an note on her locker that simple says www.allheart.com they have really cheap scrubs. I am talking like $6 for pants or tops. How much cheaper can she get? unless of course she goes to Goodwill or even Ebay! I have bought "lots" of scrubs off of ebay with the tags still on most of them. When I say "lots" I am not talking about a lot of scrubs, I am talking about some people sell put lots of scrubs all together as one item and they go cheap!
And I can't believe we're still talking about this..........
I don't know, Marla ... I'm definitely fascinated by this narrative. I think we all want to see how the story ends ... If it ends ... Surely it will end ... Won't it ... ?
I, as well, am quite interested to see where this finally goes. It is my current online soap opera.....(dramatic voice over) Will the OP finally confront the phantom urinator? Or will they live in stinky squalor forever?
Dom's mom
13 Posts
YOU are on an episode of PUNK'D! This is too funny and gross to be real. :rotfl: