During the few minutes we were there I noticed Mom's eye mask was not on her eye anymore, it was coving her nose. The nurse told us the doctor had been in to see Mom and we were not called. I asked her why and she told us not to expect them to keep track of where we are in the hospital. They couldn't be expected to know that. (We had been on floor two all night and this morning. We told the night nurse and she promised to call one of us at the first sign of the doctor.) We missed the doctor. The new nurse said, "I can page him if you would like." But we didn't want to bother him if Mom was just the same. I would rather him be paged if there were changes and we had real questions for him. The nurse also checked her cathater.(Sound it out, I don't know how to spell that word.) The cathater spilled all over the floor. Mom's left arm also looked as if it wasn't in a good position. The other nurses have been trying to lay it on pillows and get her hand above her elbow in an elevated sort of way. This helps to reduce swelling in her hands. Her arm this morning was underneath the pillow and jammed up against her body. Heidi and I fixed it.
I can understand not calling us. I would rather her focus be on Mom and taking care of Mom. BUT - she needs to make sure she is taking care of Mom. Heidi and I are going to go in there often today and make sure the nurse is keeping up with all of Mom's needs. Usually, these nurses are with us for 2 and 3 days so they get to know the patient. I will request another nurse if I think she isn't doing a good job. We will wait and see.
Back to Mom - her pressure in her skull is up to "20 something" (exact words from the nurse who is not paying close enough attention.) I think it is in the low 20s. The nurse gave her morphine to help the pressure. I didn't get a clear answer as to if the morphine had helped yet.
Although we cannot stimulate Mom too much, I will check on her soon.
Anyone who has gone through this - if we have complaints or want to request another nurse for another day - who do I talk to?
Amy go back and review the email I sent you from Deanna Ziino. She works for Mercy Hospital and outlined how you should proceed if you had any medical or patient issues.
ReplyDeletePlease continue to take care of your mother and only complain if it is someting affecting her care, and at that time I would expect you to be very firm and demanding. Sometimes a nurse or Doctor might sluff a little but in my opinion they can save it for their own family when they get home. Hang in there you are doing exactally what you should be. I think Monica was right your mothers head is swelling with pride!
Love Aunt Rita
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI trust these first impressions and I think it is OK to ask for better attention if you see problems. Things like posistioning of the mask and her arm may be little things to the nurse but are not to the person laying there in the bed, uncomfortable and unable to change their environment or even communicate their discomfort. It's easy to argue Debbie is not aware of these things, but why would a person want to make that arguement? Who knows what her level of awareness is throughout her day? It seems to me there is enough time in the nurse's schedule to check and maintain the optimum position for everything Debbie has attached to her and to make sure her arms and legs are in a comfortable position.
Hang in there!
Your Uncle Jim
Amy,
ReplyDeleteYour instincts are right! go with your gut feelings. You have been there through different nurses and know how things are supposed to be done. I agree that you should follow whatever protocol to replace the nurse if this continues. Since you are checking on Deb, it may be that it will be enough to get some improvements in her care.
You hang in there,
Love,
Aunt Cheryl