Serial Stooler
When looking through your patient's chart at the beginning of the shift, it is a very bad omen to see a column of plus signs in the stool column, especially if the word loose is written next to it. If the patient is incontinent and bed-bound, needless to say, things are going to get ugly. If the patient has C diff., the odor will make a vulture heave. That was my patient and there was no aide to help me.
Not if, but when he sneezed while lying on his side during the frequent butt washings, the stool became projectile. It was no longer loose for my shift; it was watery, mucousy and flew. I felt a tiny droplet hit my neck and don't want to think about what got in my hair. Poop also got on my shoes, but that was my fault. I stepped on the dirty diaper I tossed on the floor.
For my shift, there were seven plus signs in the stool column with liquid written next to it. I wonder how the next shift is doing?
Written by Melissa on 12:44 AM
Me
Melissa blogging from sunny Santa Clarita, Southern California, United States.
Friends
12 Comments:
I'm giving you a medal for conduct above and beyond the call of doodie. :)
*groan!*
I hope you are well paid!
i hope your hospital discover the joy of "flexi seal"- it is a rectal tube that is so handy for chronic diarrhea like this. it does not only save the staff a lot of work, but saves the patient's skin from total breakdown.
...and another medal from me!
Gary, thanks for the doodie medal.
Dave, does this mean that you've never had a computer crap on you at work?
Connie, it's kind of like being a mommy with all of the diaper changing, only I get paid.
May, we have those and I even wrote the doctor a nice note asking him to order one, but he ignored me. If he had to take care of that patient, I'm sure that he would have ordered a rectal tube.
Gemmak, maybe you would like to become a nurse too. It seems a shame to have all of this fun and not be able to share.
Have I ever mentioned that you make every other job that isn't nursing appear to be a cakewalk? :-)
Now THAT is why I am not a nurse. I can't even change pooey baby nappies... other than my own kids when they were babies...and sometimes I would gag even then. No way... human poop and I don't get along. Oh...and dog poop on my shoe...that makes me gag as well.
I think this is your biggest "Ew!" story so far.
Karen, if I had your job, I would run screaming from the room, assuming that I didn't get fired first.
Madwag, I used to feel the same as you. I was stupid enough to think that RNs didn't do that stuff. I was wrong, but I got used to it. I breathe through my mouth for smelly tasks.
Alan, stick around. I can beat that ewww story. I just haven't posted many gross stories lately. I can do better.
So the doctor wouldn't prescribe that, huh? Perhaps you should report to the doctor that the patient has a suspicious anal lesion that requires inspection. Close inspection. Accidentally spill some pepper on the patient's pillow. :>
Oh, did I say that?
Dave, working evenings, I rarely see doctors, so I have to write them notes. Your plan of revenge is great, but I would have to get day shift to do my dirty work and they aren't as evil as I am. :)
Post a Comment
<< Home