A rehab fact: inaugural edition

Since we see lots of stuff in the media about cool technologies and procedures, did you ever want to know more?

Fear not, as a rehab nurse, here's my take (with a little help from our PTs) on some topics of interest.

Our first installment is about one of the hottest topics out there in rehab: exoskeletons. I worked with a general surgeon who actually said in a meeting, "We could solve every problem with our SCI patients if we could get them an exoskeleton, and what wonderful PR it would be for Madison as a whole."

My first thought: wow! Yes, exoskeletons ARE cool, but unfortunately, they don't work for everyone.

Here's a list of criteria (which is also on the website of one manufacturer)

1. You must be between 5'3"-6'3" tall. Too short or too tall disqualifies you.
2. You must be able to use a walker or crutches. Certain SCI patients who cannot grip adequately would be disqualified.
3. You cannot be over 220 lbs.
4. You have to meet bone density requirements.
5. You must have a companion with you at all times.

In general, cost is often a prohibitive factor with these devices, which can cost $70,000 and up. Another factor to consider: you need to plan on taking 20-25 minutes to both don and doff this device. As with any prosthetic device, proper use is crucial.

Finally, this technology will continue to evolve. Nurses, don't just think it's for your SCI patients, you very well could be using this daily in your own tasks on the job. If so, the concept of robonurse might not be so far behind. Baymax here we come!

I hope you enjoyed this discussion about a current rehab topic. Feel free to share your thought or ideas for the next installment.

Stay tuned!

Old school communication

Call me a dinosaur, but I still love my e-mails. Especially stuff from the listservs I'm on.

Rehab nurses who rarely speak out about anything will have long, torrid discussions via listserv about the best way to put on a leg bag and how many times a night to turn patients.

It may be old, but it is still highly entertaining.

Time to update the slides

I do an education presentation for a local non-profit organization which many of our rehab patients belong. Traveling partner and I discuss the favorite rehab nurse topic: bowel and bladder issues.

We did a thorough research on the internet and in journals, etc., since the folks we work with publish stuff.

But, I never realized until today when I attended a presentation with a urologist that we forgot a surgical intervention: bladder augmentation. (And yes, it does make the bladder bigger.) I guess one of these days I may actually meet a patient who's had this done. So far, not yet.


Finally, they mentioned this device. I got flashbacks to nursing school when I had to do a soap suds enema (without a balloon, which would have been nice).

Stay tuned...

Nuggets for June 15

Happy June 15! Since I haven't done a Nuggets section in ages, I thought, why not? I've been reading some really interesting medical stuff for my grad class, and lo and behold, some of my favorite MD bloggers have interesting posts that should be seen.

So here goes, folks. Please enjoy the scenery. There is some very vivid mental imagery here if you really think about these items...just sayin'

Enjoy!



So you have been living in this century for how long now?
ER Doc from Serenity Now Hospital has a great post about a really out there patient who is still figuring out how to use the telephone. 

The epitome of tact or Why you should turn off the cellphone in the ICU
Grumpy, one great neurologist (and no, I don't work for him...he's nicer than our boss) has a public service announcement you'd think was obvious.

Never assume...

Last but not least

KevinMD has a couple of posts you shouldn't miss.

Medicine or family first discusses a series of articles running in the NY Times debating if part-time physicians should exist.

And now, since it's bikini season, he discusses a hairy (literally) topic which can have some significant complications.


Stay tuned....more to come.

A very interesting perspective

In light of recent issues at the Hotel, (see previous post) I really enjoyed this Facebook discussion topic on the Oncology Nursing Society's page, especially this comment about patients and friendships:

there are certain patients that you just connect with. And, they are "gifts". There are those who remain your heart long after they are gone. These friendships are not by choice, sometimes I think that they are destiny. However, when these rare occasions happen, I think that you need to have boundaries, you need to set ground rules. 

If a patient would send a friend request to me, I would have to think long and hard about my reply. For the most part, it would be "no". You also need to be strong enough to face these patients when they confront you about your response.