Work ethic question in home healthcare?

[michelle.json]

Say there is a brain-damaged person who can't speak, and his caretaker wife uses that ped egg cheese grater looking thing to rub his psoriasis on his arms and legs, leaving them raw and bleeding. What can be done? Just quit the job?

[jschut, BSN, RN]

Can you teach her and gently advise against that?

[cookie102]

Say there is a brain-damaged person who can't speak, and his caretaker wife uses that ped egg cheese grater looking thing to rub his psoriasis on his arms and legs, leaving them raw and bleeding. What can be done? Just quit the job?

that caregiver needs to be educated, she needs to know about infection etc.

[Lorie P.]

education and teaching her wiil probably help. she may not realize what she is doing could cause the pt more problems. i would gently explain to her the reasons not to use the ped egg and then see she how she reacts. then go from there, it just may be she doesn't know any better and she thinks she is helping.

[caliotter3]

You should follow through on an attempt to educate her and also insure that you document appropriately. I would do a communication note to the nursing supervisor in addition to anything you write in your day to day nurses notes. Monitor the areas for signs of infection and report to the doctor and supervising nurse if infection occurs. Don't forget to note that you are monitoring these areas. Document, document, document.