When relatives try to "help"

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Okay, venting here. In 18 years of nursing I have hurt my back a few times, but I've been pretty lucky for a while....can't remember the last time I hurt it. Yesterday an elderly lady was brought in by PV with hip pain after being found down by family. She was on the floor in a minivan. My tech and I went out with a gurney to get her. The floor of the van was way lower than the gurney, so we got a backboard under her. All the while her son was "directing" us, even though I kept asking him to step back and let us do it. Finally we had her strapped on and ready to go. We pulled her out using the "One, two three -- heave" method. Last pull: I told my tech, "Okay, we'll get her on the gurney and then turn the board."

We got her on the gurney and without warning the son grabbed the end of the board and pulled. I spent the next hour after that in Occ Med being diagnosed with a lumbar strain. I'm now on limited duty on NSAIDS and Soma (not taking the Soma at work). When I went back yesterday the pt was in x-ray, and when the x-ray tech brought the pt back the tech was irritated with the son. I asked what was wrong and Tech told me "Her son wouldn't get out of my way, he kept trying to 'help'." :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

OUCH so sorry this happened to you!!!! I sure hope you get to feeling better soon.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I sympathize ... while there were no "helpful" family members involved, yesterday I definitely pulled something while 2 of us tried to reposition a patient in bed. It's not too bad ... for the most part the Motrin is helping, but I definitely *feel* that muscle.

I dread the family members that watch their loved ones for every sigh or little movement and interpret it as a sign of doom, but yet don't want you to actually touch the patient. Sometimes you can't win ...

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Specializes in Med/Surg, PACU, ICU, CCU,ED,ENDO.

Sorry thats no fun! In 14 yrs at my current job I've been out about 3yrs total on workmans comp, for various injuries.I love when family members help...honestly I usually pull them aside and ask them why they brought the pt here if they wanted to do all the work..You have to establish the fact that your in charge and they need to listen or you'll be unable to provide the care the pt needs in a timely manner.

Paul

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

I am soooooooo sorry for your injury! I too have been a victim of family "helping" so much. My husband who is a paramedic really gets it too! His back has been hurt so many times for the same reason yours did!

So he came up with a plan! One, he runs into MD's, RN's, CNA's and others that try to 'help' as well. What he did was always carry a blanket or sheet in the back of the ambulance folded...then when the 'helpful' person is in the way he poliety says "oh crud...hey...can you get me that blanket in the back there for us (or pillow), that would really help us out!". That gives a few seconds for a transfer to commence...make sure everyone is in position before doing this so you can 1-2-3- heave without them there!

He uses that a lot now...for Nurses...you don't have an ambulance..but there are plenty of places to place a blanket or some item you can 'need' a ways away from a patient! I use this technique now too!

It is a win win! That way you satisfy the family (or other) need to help (which decreases their powerlessness probelms), and get the job done :). Always thank them very much for doing that and I bet you 9/10 times you will have made their year!!!!!!! (always nice to be thanked!).

Hope you are on the mend there!

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.

I hope you named him in the accident report. Should this come to haunt you in the future workman's comp wise, he may be liable, especially if you asked him to step aside.

If it was the action of a medical professional that hurt this relative of a patient, you can bet that the relative would be looking to take legal action against you personally and the facility. Why should he be exempt from that? It isn't like a coworker accidentally pulling before someone says "three".

I hope you feel better soon. And I'd ask a workman's comp. attorney if you know any.

Blee

Okay, venting here. In 18 years of nursing I have hurt my back a few times, but I've been pretty lucky for a while....can't remember the last time I hurt it. Yesterday an elderly lady was brought in by PV with hip pain after being found down by family. She was on the floor in a minivan. My tech and I went out with a gurney to get her. The floor of the van was way lower than the gurney, so we got a backboard under her. All the while her son was "directing" us, even though I kept asking him to step back and let us do it. Finally we had her strapped on and ready to go. We pulled her out using the "One, two three -- heave" method. Last pull: I told my tech, "Okay, we'll get her on the gurney and then turn the board."

We got her on the gurney and without warning the son grabbed the end of the board and pulled. I spent the next hour after that in Occ Med being diagnosed with a lumbar strain. I'm now on limited duty on NSAIDS and Soma (not taking the Soma at work). When I went back yesterday the pt was in x-ray, and when the x-ray tech brought the pt back the tech was irritated with the son. I asked what was wrong and Tech told me "Her son wouldn't get out of my way, he kept trying to 'help'." :uhoh3:

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Oh, heck yeah, I named him!! I was so ticked off I also gave the pt to another nurse because I was afraid I would say something to him.

TriageRN, I have so much respect for our ambulance teams. I don't help unless they ask me to, beyond holding the IV bag during transfer!

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