Weirdest nursing “fixes"

Patricia Ordnung · May 15

I worked with an NP who told me they used to use milk of mag and heat lamps on pressure ulcers.

nightwingcreations, CNA, LPN · May 15

We did used to use the MOM and heat lamps on wounds, at the time the thought was to dry them out. LOL. We also used tape to tape buttocks open for the heat lamp... Coke is still used for unclogging peg tubes. We have had doctors orders to do so. If you are dealing with combative uncooperative Alzheimer's patient that needs changed but is totally unable to understand why you are uncovering and undressing them, take the covers from the bottom of the bed and leave their top half covered with the linens. They take longer to get arms out and don't feel as exposed.

WhirlyGirlNurse · May 15

As a flight nurse, transporting a critically ill patient always involved a tangle of lines, tubes, and wires. There was always a risk of accidentally snagging one, or stepping on one, and ripping out something important. So I learned to keep a pocketful of twisty-ties. When I packaged my patient I bundled up the loops, secured them with a twisty-tie, and we were good to go.

SuzanneRNLA · May 15

Patricia Ordnung said:

I worked with an NP who told me they used to use milk of mag and heat lamps on pressure ulcers.

We did that a long time ago. I also remember using sugar on pressure ulcers, when I worked in a Nursing Home as an Aide before Nursing school. They don't do that any more.

WhirlyGirlNurse · May 15

Patricia Ordnung said:

I worked with an NP who told me they used to use milk of mag and heat lamps on pressure ulcers.

Oh, the bad old days of pressure wound care! When I was a nurse's aide in the 1970's everyone just did what they thought might work. Milk of magnesia, heat lamps, honey packets from the cafeteria, sugar packets from the cafeteria, neosporin ointment from the first aid box. And everyone did something different from shift to shift. Now we have turn teams to assure patients have appropriate position changes and multidisciplinary wound care teams to address pressure wounds. Back in the day, patients got a lot more individual care from nurse's aids and LPNs--bed baths, linen changes, help with feeding--but sometimes our care lacked science and consistency.

ladedah1, BSN, RN · May 15

Confused, impulsive patients who won't stay in bed at night:

Turn down the thermostat in their room and get them a toasty blanket from the warmer. Might take a bit, but it often puts them to sleep (or at least reduces the number of impulsive bed exits) !