What Part Of Low Lights Minimal Stimulation Do You Not Understand!!!!

[sarahbellum]

I spent more time yesterday educating numerous family members than giving pt care, I left work with a massive headache and was hoorifice from talking in a forced low tone and I need to vent....

I work in a unit newly designated as a "Neuro ICU" My hospital has always been liberal about visiting hours in the ICU and part of me understands the customer service aspect but,

When Grandpa has a head injury, making him perform like a trained monkey for every neighbor and family member that walks in is not going to help healing. After numerous attempts to explain this to two completely different families this week, I finally told the family last night that "Would you have him walk for four hours only five days after he broke his hip?" "Then why are you stimulating him for hours on end, his brain needs to heal, just like the rest of his body!" They spent the rest of their time yelling "Calm down Dad or we'll get in trouble again by that nurse!"---this is my other pet peeve HE HAS A BRAIN INJURY HE IS NOT DEAF

This was not the most tactful thing I have ever said to a family, and they were complaining to nightshift when I left about how its THEIR father and they should be able to see him. I do not understand why I'm supposed to let this behavior go on. Administration acts like we just don't want to deal with the family when we ask for a locked door-- phone at the door unit. We are getting a new unit and moving in June and from what I saw--IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE DOORS!!

The new unit will be our surgical ICU and the neuro pts are staying in the old unit where the family acts like its their living room. I've had to ask people to stop eating Jack in the Box in rooms with pts with C-diff (gross--why don't you just lick their butthole?) I really believe that these lax rules are contributing to rebleeds and infection rates.

I think I am going to talk to our stroke coordinator. I know she knows this goes on, but I do not think she knows what a problem it is. Of course I need to clear it with my manager first, but I can't see why liberal visiting hours in a neuro ICU are appropriate at all.

Any advice on how to handle these families?

[sarahbellum]

My manager will stand up for me (I think). I had documented all the teaching I had done. The charge nurse just ducked her head when the daughter came looking for her (at change of shift, of course) So the daughter just stood at the nurses station in the middle of report and said that she wanted to speak to her father's "NEW nurse, immediately" I stood up and said that visiting hours were over because we were giving report to the next shift, and it was a breach of confidentially for her to be in the room. After that everyone left the room but the daughter, who sat next to her father's bed looking huffy. Oh did I mention that while I was gathering supplies for report she called all the family in? Wonderful.

I had mentioned to the neurosurgeon earlier that day about the family's behavior. He said "I know his daughter calls the office 3 times a day to tattle, tell her to stop doing that" Yeah right.

[blueheaven]

that's just crazy.

it sounds like a sign with clear rules, stating these pts need a quiet environment in order to recover.

then again, who knows?

families are often worse than the pts.

make sure you document all the 'education' you give these visitors, over and over again.

but no matter what, continue in advocating for what is best for the pts.

best of everything.

leslie

LOL how true!!!!!!!!!!! It is also amazing how quickly people become illiterate when you post a sign!

One place I worked, we have a 4 foot by 3 foot RED sign on the ICU doors instructing families TO USE THE PHONE to call back before entering. I cannot tell you how many times I've wanted to say " Can I get you a referral to adult education classes????"

[TazziRN, RN]

One place I worked, we have a 4 foot by 3 foot RED sign on the ICU doors instructing families TO USE THE PHONE to call back before entering.

But.............but....................you can't possibly be telling me that sign includes my family and me!!!!!

[ktwlpn, LPN]

[sarahbellum;. I love your screen name! too funny.....

[sarahbellum]

So true about everyone thinking they are exempt, just like miracles happen to everyone with a head injury, I would play the lottery if my unit were that lucky....

[sarahbellum]

I know what you mean about how the rules don't apply to them, these are also the same people that say a miracle is going to happen to their family member, if miracles happened to every neuro pt who's family said this on my unit, I would play the lottery...

[aeauooo]

...if miracles happened to every neuro pt who's family said this on my unit, I would play the lottery...

I've had people tell me that they expect a miracle - which I've always thought was the paramount of arrogance - as if God takes orders.

I met my wife while taking care of her brother who sustained a severe head injury in an MVA. He is still in a minimally conscious state.

We have charismatic friends who insist that he will "wake up" if my wife's family just had enough faith or let a certain preacher pray over him. It's hard for my inlaws not to be offended by that, since my father-in-law is a pastor himself!

[sarahbellum]

We have charismatic friends who insist that he will "wake up" if my wife's family just had enough faith or let a certain preacher pray over him. It's hard for my inlaws not to be offended by that, since my father-in-law is a pastor himself!

That's really sad that they think God should answer to them. I never really understood faith healing except as a placebo. I just never thought it was a good idea to boss God around. I guess that is a warped view of it.

I poke fun at the "false hope" aspect of it, but it seems like the neuro unit brings out a lot of family dysfunction. I would hope my family would rally like an after school special, but I think they would probably act just as nutty. I try to remember my kooky family when these families act like they don't have any sense.

[sarahbellum]

I've had people tell me that they expect a miracle - which I've always thought was the paramount of arrogance - as if God takes orders.

It never seemed like a good idea to me to boss God around.

[JBudd, MSN]

I have seen faith healing work, when people are prayed over. It is not always a placebo effect. I have also seen people of faith suffer and die despite the many prayers. My own pastor husband died of cancer, and you know many people prayed for him non stop! I believe in miracles, but if all it took was a prayer or too and enough faith, they wouldn't be miracles, they would be magical spells where WE control God and the universe, and that just ain't gonna happen.

But don't discount miracles, and don't discount prayer. They happen and prayer is effective, just not according to our wills, but God's. That's why our main prayer in Christianity is "not my will, but Yours".

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

I've had people tell me that they expect a miracle - which I've always thought was the paramount of arrogance - as if God takes orders.

I met my wife while taking care of her brother who sustained a severe head injury in an MVA. He is still in a minimally conscious state.

We have charismatic friends who insist that he will "wake up" if my wife's family just had enough faith or let a certain preacher pray over him. It's hard for my inlaws not to be offended by that, since my father-in-law is a pastor himself!

There is a student who just graduated from the college where I am a student. We are a Christian college. She keeps saying to me that I just need to let her pray over me and I will be healed of my GENETIC DISORDER! She also feels I NEED to be healed. That I can not live my life the way I do. I have lived like this for 20 years I think I can do it. lol.

This comes from the same girl that tells people that if they wear black, are a boy who has a pierced ear, dress up at halloween, or do any of the many other things SHE has spoken on that you will go to hell.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

What you're describing is flagrant disregard for infection control and standards of care for neuro patients.

I hope you're able to wake up your department management.