I had what seemed to be a very easy discharge yesterday complicated by a family member with a healthcare power of attorney. Said family member was at odds with her relative over a number of things, including the date of discharge. It can get crazy to get in the middle of family strife, so here are a few things (along with the help of your case management staff and your hospital's specific policy) of interest from the internet.
I am not a lawyer, so these links come from http://www.findlaw.com/, http://www.nolo.com/ and the ABA, American Bar Association.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
What you can cover in a your health care directives
Duty of healthcare providers to honor your healthcare directives.
UPDATE: (because I forgot these this morning...)
If you want to read some interesting nurse attorney blogs, check out these two:
A Nurse Attorney's Thoughts by Taralynn Mackay of Texas
My 2 cents by LaTonia Denise Wright of Ohio
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Heard on the unit...
"You are now part of the Saintarama service line." (corporate letter)
What does this mean? Mostly corporate mumbo jumbo that's integrating the rehab staff into the "service line" of the hospital to get better CMS funding from Medicare. Translation: none of us really know what this will mean now, but as an escaped corporate monkey, it's probably not the gift we thought Santa would bring us.
I am always suspect of nefarious things when the attached Q&A is not attached and no one can find it.
"We are under orders to keep census low due to holiday staffing issues." (administrative staff quote)
Translation: no one wants to work New Year's Eve, so can you come in for a few (maybe double shift) hours? Yes, Voldemort Staffing just keeps calling. I suspect that's what I'm going to get for Christmas...a few more calls. I'm already working too many days that week. I need a break!
BTW we would have had four admissions yesterday if we wouldn't have had an administrative issue. Think too many men and not enough shared rooms with women. We only got three assigned and only two patients had arrived by the time I left)
"Okay, I have the leg, now where's the patient?" (PT)
One of my patients needed to have his prosthesis adjusted. I got it up to the therapist and he was supposed to go up with his brother. They decided to detour to the gift shop on the way to therapy.
What does this mean? Mostly corporate mumbo jumbo that's integrating the rehab staff into the "service line" of the hospital to get better CMS funding from Medicare. Translation: none of us really know what this will mean now, but as an escaped corporate monkey, it's probably not the gift we thought Santa would bring us.
I am always suspect of nefarious things when the attached Q&A is not attached and no one can find it.
"We are under orders to keep census low due to holiday staffing issues." (administrative staff quote)
Translation: no one wants to work New Year's Eve, so can you come in for a few (maybe double shift) hours? Yes, Voldemort Staffing just keeps calling. I suspect that's what I'm going to get for Christmas...a few more calls. I'm already working too many days that week. I need a break!
BTW we would have had four admissions yesterday if we wouldn't have had an administrative issue. Think too many men and not enough shared rooms with women. We only got three assigned and only two patients had arrived by the time I left)
"Okay, I have the leg, now where's the patient?" (PT)
One of my patients needed to have his prosthesis adjusted. I got it up to the therapist and he was supposed to go up with his brother. They decided to detour to the gift shop on the way to therapy.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Nuggets for December 12
Here are a few of the lastest things I've been reading about from the 'net.
Horizontal violence
Don't know what it is? Think hazing of new nurses. Think less people working with you and taking your place when you retire. Read this interesting article from AdvanceWeb.
MRSA information
See the latest, including podcasts, from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta.
Influenza
Another helpful page from our friends at the CDC.
And finally, in the spirit of the season, something completely different...
Christmas Games
Coffee break time! All those crazy Flash-animated silly games for you to wile away your time at your PC. Pick one that looks interesting and go for it.
Horizontal violence
Don't know what it is? Think hazing of new nurses. Think less people working with you and taking your place when you retire. Read this interesting article from AdvanceWeb.
MRSA information
See the latest, including podcasts, from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta.
Influenza
Another helpful page from our friends at the CDC.
And finally, in the spirit of the season, something completely different...
Christmas Games
Coffee break time! All those crazy Flash-animated silly games for you to wile away your time at your PC. Pick one that looks interesting and go for it.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Nuggets for November 29
Here are a few interesting things I've read lately:
Nursing Reality Shock: The New Nurse Survival Guide
This one came from monster.com and suits me quite well, as a second career nurse.
Allnursingprograms.com offers a good FAQ on nursing as a second career. They also have detailed information on different types of nursing programs and what is involved in each.
DiscoverNursing.com offers a lot of information on different fields within nursing.
Nursing Reality Shock: The New Nurse Survival Guide
This one came from monster.com and suits me quite well, as a second career nurse.
Allnursingprograms.com offers a good FAQ on nursing as a second career. They also have detailed information on different types of nursing programs and what is involved in each.
DiscoverNursing.com offers a lot of information on different fields within nursing.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Nuggets for November 12
Here are a few links to my recent wanderings on the web:
Mostly True Stories has this funny look at the medical condition pica.
FloatFloorRN recounts this story about pain meds, the people that use them, and the crazy things that can happen if you get too much.
Trauma Queen asks...could you be an ambulance driver? Head on over and find out!
Mostly True Stories has this funny look at the medical condition pica.
FloatFloorRN recounts this story about pain meds, the people that use them, and the crazy things that can happen if you get too much.
Trauma Queen asks...could you be an ambulance driver? Head on over and find out!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Nuggets for November 6
Here are a few interesting things I've read recently on the internet:
Vicks Vaporub and feet
I just had to go to Snopes and find out why the heck K. our pseudocharge was talking about this with anyone and everyone who ambled near our nurses' station the other day. As usual, she just needed something to talk about. Your mileage may vary. If you don't like this, use Eucerin Foot Cream at night. I love it!
Historic Trauma Cases
I ran into this series at AdvanceWeb by a trauma nurse. It examines famous cases of trauma and how they were treated at the time and what would happen now. Very interesting read.
I like this page from the University of South Carolina College of Nursing. Have your 'tween or teen check it out. A lot of resources in one page.
Off the 'net...read this book!
Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway. I found this book thanks to a post at atyourcervix. I'm not a L&D nurse, but I really enjoyed the story. It's short, so try it. Proceeds go to a very good cause.
Vicks Vaporub and feet
I just had to go to Snopes and find out why the heck K. our pseudocharge was talking about this with anyone and everyone who ambled near our nurses' station the other day. As usual, she just needed something to talk about. Your mileage may vary. If you don't like this, use Eucerin Foot Cream at night. I love it!
Historic Trauma Cases
I ran into this series at AdvanceWeb by a trauma nurse. It examines famous cases of trauma and how they were treated at the time and what would happen now. Very interesting read.
NursePower!
Author Donna Cardillo's links to great nursing resources.
I like this page from the University of South Carolina College of Nursing. Have your 'tween or teen check it out. A lot of resources in one page.
Off the 'net...read this book!
Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway. I found this book thanks to a post at atyourcervix. I'm not a L&D nurse, but I really enjoyed the story. It's short, so try it. Proceeds go to a very good cause.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Nuggets for October 23
Here are the latest nuggets from the internet this week:
Disaboom
This new site, launched this month and founded by an MD who has C7 tetraplegia, has a discussion board and resources for people with disabilities.
DisabilityInfo.gov
A one-stop shop for disability information from the US federal government.
National Council for Support of Disability Issues
According to their mission statement, this organization "help advance public attitudes, awareness, respect, consideration and advance the success of people with all types of disabilities."
The Able Crew
A site for kids which discusses disabilities.
NCIL.org
The home page for the National Council on Independent Living.
Disaboom
This new site, launched this month and founded by an MD who has C7 tetraplegia, has a discussion board and resources for people with disabilities.
DisabilityInfo.gov
A one-stop shop for disability information from the US federal government.
National Council for Support of Disability Issues
According to their mission statement, this organization "help advance public attitudes, awareness, respect, consideration and advance the success of people with all types of disabilities."
The Able Crew
A site for kids which discusses disabilities.
NCIL.org
The home page for the National Council on Independent Living.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Nuggets for October 18
Here are a few interesting tidbits I've encountered on the internet this week.
While I was working on my post for Wednesday I found an article written by a patient about WoundVAC therapy
Another wound therapy related site of interest: http://www.worldwidewounds.com/
Surgical Materials Testing Laboratory is a UK site which discusses a variety of issues related to wound care and products used to treat wounds.
While I was working on my post for Wednesday I found an article written by a patient about WoundVAC therapy
Another wound therapy related site of interest: http://www.worldwidewounds.com/
Surgical Materials Testing Laboratory is a UK site which discusses a variety of issues related to wound care and products used to treat wounds.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Rehab nugget
I haven't yet perused much this week for my regularly scheduled Nuggets section, but here's one I just found about what rehab doctors do. From my perspective as a rehab nurse, we are so lucky to have really good rehab docs working with us. I've never sat down and discussed how our docs ended up at Saintarama, but it sure makes me wonder. Hope you enjoy this post!
What the heck is a rehab doc? (from ValJonesMD)
What the heck is a rehab doc? (from ValJonesMD)
Thursday, October 4, 2007
From the e-mail and snail mail boxes
I usually give my e-mail newsletters a passing glance, but a couple of links in my ADVANCE for Nurses e-mail today were pretty good.
Professional vulnerability
This editorial discusses the "who can call themselves a nurse" issue. I've heard some of it before, but this is a good read nevertheless.
A clean exchange
This article discusses the fine art of the handoff. As a new nurse, this was a good article and made me think.
From the snail mail box:
I subscribe to AJN, which is a great publication if you haven't read it lately. I find at least two good articles in there every month. October's issue is no different. One of the more interesting articles this month (a CE article) discusses motivational interviewing. It's more outpatient than inpatient, but I think it has tips that are valuable, even in the inpatient setting. I also thought that the article about insulin management, Rethinking Sliding-Scale Insulin, although, geared toward ICU nurses, has great tips for the rest of us on the floors. At least, I'll have something interesting to discuss with the endocrinologist when he's on the floor next time. (We have a very, very wonderful one at Saintarama. He's the best!)
More next time...enjoy! I'm off to be computer geek for the rest of my day off, since I'm back on at the Hotel Rehab tomorrow. Ciao!
Professional vulnerability
This editorial discusses the "who can call themselves a nurse" issue. I've heard some of it before, but this is a good read nevertheless.
A clean exchange
This article discusses the fine art of the handoff. As a new nurse, this was a good article and made me think.
From the snail mail box:
I subscribe to AJN, which is a great publication if you haven't read it lately. I find at least two good articles in there every month. October's issue is no different. One of the more interesting articles this month (a CE article) discusses motivational interviewing. It's more outpatient than inpatient, but I think it has tips that are valuable, even in the inpatient setting. I also thought that the article about insulin management, Rethinking Sliding-Scale Insulin, although, geared toward ICU nurses, has great tips for the rest of us on the floors. At least, I'll have something interesting to discuss with the endocrinologist when he's on the floor next time. (We have a very, very wonderful one at Saintarama. He's the best!)
More next time...enjoy! I'm off to be computer geek for the rest of my day off, since I'm back on at the Hotel Rehab tomorrow. Ciao!
Monday, October 1, 2007
Heard on our unit...
"Remember that DNR. I've changed my mind. I want to be resuscitated."
This is what one of my patients on Saturday told the MD yesterday when he actually came in to talk to him about the DNR he wanted me to take as a verbal order. G. told me about this today. I just about fell over on that one....what?
"He's C-diff positive."
Not Mr. Z., since his results are still out, but Mr. K. my recent amputee patient won the prize (not our fault) and got his very own room. We now get to gown and glove to see him, and wash our hands each and every time we go in the room. Silence may be golden, but then again, so is C-diff.
"48 (blood sugar) is in the ballpark."
Famous words of a non-Saintarama diabetologist who only had the nurses calling him q2-4 hours re: his 19 year old IDDM patient's blood sugars. This kid came to us straight from the land of tubes and wires (ICU) with his own PRN vent.
I'd don't know about you, but I don't want to play in that ballpark, thank you very much!
"I don't like that antibiotic."
My patient, Mr. T. (yes, I took him back this week after a week of vacation from him on my team) after I gave him his Cipro two hours post corn flakes and milk. At 1020 he has emesis of about 200cc. At least, I didn't see the pill in there. The best news is that his Cipro will be over after his 2100 dose tomorrow. Note to self: give him his Cipro as soon as I can get it.
"Can I have lots of ice? I like ice."
We must have the best tasting ice on the planet, or we have some people who really love it. I heard this over and over today.
I had a pretty good day today. I had a brand new patient (another BKA) come in early enough that I was able to stay over a bit to help the evening shift. I got her assessed (found 2-4 small PUs) and set up in the room and helped J. get the care plans in the computer, since she took my team. The secretary was still around, so she helped with the rest. I still managed to get out just before 1700. Hooray.
More fun and excitement (and surely, ice) tomorrow. Stay tuned!
This is what one of my patients on Saturday told the MD yesterday when he actually came in to talk to him about the DNR he wanted me to take as a verbal order. G. told me about this today. I just about fell over on that one....what?
"He's C-diff positive."
Not Mr. Z., since his results are still out, but Mr. K. my recent amputee patient won the prize (not our fault) and got his very own room. We now get to gown and glove to see him, and wash our hands each and every time we go in the room. Silence may be golden, but then again, so is C-diff.
"48 (blood sugar) is in the ballpark."
Famous words of a non-Saintarama diabetologist who only had the nurses calling him q2-4 hours re: his 19 year old IDDM patient's blood sugars. This kid came to us straight from the land of tubes and wires (ICU) with his own PRN vent.
I'd don't know about you, but I don't want to play in that ballpark, thank you very much!
"I don't like that antibiotic."
My patient, Mr. T. (yes, I took him back this week after a week of vacation from him on my team) after I gave him his Cipro two hours post corn flakes and milk. At 1020 he has emesis of about 200cc. At least, I didn't see the pill in there. The best news is that his Cipro will be over after his 2100 dose tomorrow. Note to self: give him his Cipro as soon as I can get it.
"Can I have lots of ice? I like ice."
We must have the best tasting ice on the planet, or we have some people who really love it. I heard this over and over today.
I had a pretty good day today. I had a brand new patient (another BKA) come in early enough that I was able to stay over a bit to help the evening shift. I got her assessed (found 2-4 small PUs) and set up in the room and helped J. get the care plans in the computer, since she took my team. The secretary was still around, so she helped with the rest. I still managed to get out just before 1700. Hooray.
More fun and excitement (and surely, ice) tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Nuggets - September 16
Here are some of other interesting goodies I've found in various nursing blogs:
Case of the week for September 4 (from Counting Sheep) discusses a group of people we often get to see in rehab--the spinal fusion or spinal surgery patient. This post tells more about the anesthetic side of this surgery.
Nurse Kitty (from Critical Pathways) describes a little bit what I'm feeling about getting off orientation in this post.
Arrested (from TraumaQueen) Kal the ambulance driver from Edinburgh, Scotland always has an interesting post to read. Check out this memorable one at TraumaQueen.
Case of the week for September 4 (from Counting Sheep) discusses a group of people we often get to see in rehab--the spinal fusion or spinal surgery patient. This post tells more about the anesthetic side of this surgery.
Nurse Kitty (from Critical Pathways) describes a little bit what I'm feeling about getting off orientation in this post.
Arrested (from TraumaQueen) Kal the ambulance driver from Edinburgh, Scotland always has an interesting post to read. Check out this memorable one at TraumaQueen.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Nuggets this week
Since I just mentioned a few of the interesting infractions noted in my latest State BON newsletter, I thought I'd point you in the direction of some interesting legal-oriented blog posts I've run across this week.
More nurses in trouble with the nursing board
A great post by Taralynn Mackay. Don't miss this if you live/work in Texas.
Will it anger the board if I have an attorney?
A great post from My 2 cents, a nurse attorney blog
On another note, here are some goodies from some other blogs.
Revenge is sweet (from highlytrainedmonkey)
Phone triage (from atyourcervix)
Professional Respect (from traumaqueen)
More nurses in trouble with the nursing board
A great post by Taralynn Mackay. Don't miss this if you live/work in Texas.
Will it anger the board if I have an attorney?
A great post from My 2 cents, a nurse attorney blog
On another note, here are some goodies from some other blogs.
Revenge is sweet (from highlytrainedmonkey)
Phone triage (from atyourcervix)
Professional Respect (from traumaqueen)
Sunday, July 29, 2007
This week's Nuggets
I was going to wait to post these, but since I still hear the Wallace and Gromit music, I know I won't get a moment alone with my living room TV.
Here's the latest round that I enjoyed today. Go on over and visit these folks!
Here's the latest round that I enjoyed today. Go on over and visit these folks!
- At your cervix shouts out to my favorite non-nursing cubicle dweller
- Life, times and abuse in the ER at crasspollination
- Wanna know when it's a full moon? Ask the Navy guys here.
- Guys, don't let this happen to you (from traumaqueen)
- At home with Max and eternity rings (or I thought my husband was unlucky with lawn mowers until I read this!)
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Goodies!
I saw this on www.nursaminor.com so I had to try it! Must have something to do with all the bowel stuff! Whoops!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Nuggets from the blogosphere
I have a bunch of nursing blogs listed and I will from time to time pass along a few I've enjoyed reading. Check out the links on the side, and if you have a blog you'd like me to read, let me know.
Today's nuggets
aboutanurse talks about a family member's complaint of molestation that may choke you up, especially, if you've been playing with trachs lately, like me.
Mostly True Stories Trich or Treatment proves that soap operas aren't just on TV, but also a part of some folks real life. Note to you nursing students: although psych is fun, maternity may be more exciting than you think.
Musings of a Highly Trained Monkey sure made me think about my fitness program in this post.
Today's nuggets
aboutanurse talks about a family member's complaint of molestation that may choke you up, especially, if you've been playing with trachs lately, like me.
Mostly True Stories Trich or Treatment proves that soap operas aren't just on TV, but also a part of some folks real life. Note to you nursing students: although psych is fun, maternity may be more exciting than you think.
Musings of a Highly Trained Monkey sure made me think about my fitness program in this post.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Interesting articles in the news
Since I just bought some new shoes, I ran into some interesting foot and health articles as I've been reading. Enjoy!
Fructose-Sweetened Drinks Harder on Arteries (from washingtonpost.com)
On your feet (from washingtonpost.com)
High heels effect on the body (from washingtonpost.com)
The best new pain cures with a focus on women (from cnn.com)
Fructose-Sweetened Drinks Harder on Arteries (from washingtonpost.com)
On your feet (from washingtonpost.com)
High heels effect on the body (from washingtonpost.com)
The best new pain cures with a focus on women (from cnn.com)
Monday, May 28, 2007
Welcome to my little blog!
Howdy all!
I'm a recent graduate of a large private institution in the Midwest. My other blog described my trek through an accelerated nursing program, but since I'm no longer a student, I thought it would be better, to start fresh in a new blog.
I hope you'll enjoy this adventure along with me.
I'm a recent graduate of a large private institution in the Midwest. My other blog described my trek through an accelerated nursing program, but since I'm no longer a student, I thought it would be better, to start fresh in a new blog.
I hope you'll enjoy this adventure along with me.
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