PSA: Healthy peepers

I didn't think I was at risk for glaucoma, until I ended up at the eye doctor, and he was looking at me funny. Needless to say, I'll never forget that Veterans' Day, when my doc gave me the news.

Why am I talking about this? Well, it's National Glaucoma Awareness month in January.  Almost three million Americans have it, and many, like me, don't even know it. You are at higher risk if you are African-American, male, diabetic or have a family history (even if it's distant like mine).

Glaucoma is known for robbing people of their sight. I had LPI to allow my eyes to drain properly, which also helped the pressure. Some people may also need medication or other surgical procedures.

Some folks put off or delay eye exams because they fear they're too expensive. I have had vision insurance for years, and I did not know that it (along with your medical insurance) can make regular check-ups reasonable. If you don't have vision insurance, check with your PCP for more options in your area.

Your vision is priceless. I know I couldn't be a good parent, wife and nurse without it.

What are you waiting for? Go visit your favorite ophthalmologist today.

More to come...

Clueless

Dear Therapist:

I understand your job is to do therapeutic crafts with patients in your clinic.

I don't appreciate it when you leave said patients unsupervised in the area I'm supposed to work and they make such a mess that it will take another two days of housekeeping to clear the air enough so I can breathe again.

Yes, it is a pain that I'm in this space you claim as your own but it's temporary. You only have 4000 square feet elsewhere plus another 3000 of storage. There's only about 400 square feet here free that I can use due to the junk, er, craft supplies.

Remember nurses take care of the health part of health and wellness in rehab, and if the air's contaminated where I'm supposed to work, I won't be healthy enough to take care of patients.

I'm going to take the high road on this one, but if it gets ugly, I assure you, I'll make sure you don't forget it.

Wishing you many clues,

Sincerely,

RehabRN

One step forward, two steps back...

This seems to be the story of the unit I work with. Our upper Manglement wants to beat the Hotel into submission, then not be responsible for the consequences.

Here are a few shining examples:

1. Demanding staff be rushed through orientation because "they are not new nurses." 

Hello folks! Rehab nurses with a clue are not born, they are made by training and learning on the job. Notice: TRAINING comes first.

If we don't train our people properly while they are in orientation, we suffer the consequences.

One of my coworkers told me of a situation that nearly had me in tears. One of our patients with a newer trach went home without supplies for it, without any apparent instruction AND without an obturator!

This was just one complaint regarding this patient's stay. There were others. If I worked there, I'd fear for my license.

2. Don't do care coordination

Somebody should be doing it, everybody knows about it and nobody seems to be doing it in our neck of the woods.

My personal favorite: we now have "RN case managers" who say it's not their job.

3. Have a fit because our patients stay a long time at the Hotel.

Case in point: Guy gets discharged after lengthy hospital stay through no fault of his own (got sick with not one but several nasty bugs). Lived to tell about it, then our department gets yelled at because the patient didn't leave fast enough.

He/she was there  so long that he/she was discharged earlier than should have been expected (needed to do transfers independently).

Lo and behold, we get a call less than two weeks later. Guess what Patient X wants to do? Come back for rehab.

There went that readmission rate. Oh well!

Can you tell I'm glad it's Friday? I knew you could. Happy weekend to all!