Sunday, 01/26

     For the second time in five days Caren called me, in tears.  She was left wet in bed this morning after using the bed pan.  The aide insisted Caren was dry.  The nurse came in with Caren's meds, and asked why Caren was wet,  Caren told her.  
     When we came into Caren's room, pillows were on the floor at the foot of the bed, Caren was uncovered, ill positioned, wet, and in pain.  Do the CNA's not realize that urine is very damaging to the skin. . .and the effects of these excretions [urine and/or feces] causing skin breakdown and is similar to a rash or chemical burn?  (Nursing Assistant: A Nursing Process Approach - Basics By Barbara Hegner, Barbara Acello, Esther Caldwell)
     Negligence of any patient is unacceptable.  When a patient asks for toileting, and is told to wait, that is unacceptable.  When a patient is forgotten in the bathroom to the point of panic and told they were forgotten, that is unacceptable.  When a patient is told that basic needs can not be met because the facility is understaffed, that is unacceptable.  When a patient who can not move without assistance is left in the same position hour after hour, that is unacceptable.  When a patient is toileted and not dried, that is unacceptable. When a patient is told there is no time to be taken to the bathroom, use a bed pan, and left wet, that
is unacceptable.  When a patient explains they are wet, and the aide argues that they are dry - and left in that condition, that is unacceptable. When a patient puts on a call light, and that call light is repeatedly ignored, that is unacceptable.  Perhaps some CNA's require further training.  
     Finally, Simone returned from dining room duty, and I told her, "Someone left our girl all wet, and didn't position her."  Simone was kind enough to apologize for their actions, and asked if she could help.  By this time, Mary and I had the situation well in hand, so Simone went to help Caren's room mate.
     Mary and I gave Caren the bed pan, and removed it; removed her soiled clothes; gave her a full bed bath, removing soiled linen; and got her dressed in a clean caftan from home. Simone helped Mary and me to transfer Caren to the Cadillac (special recliner chair), and Mary and I positioned her, and brushed her hair.
     By this time, lunch trays were being served, and Caren had missed breakfast time.
     Mary and I pushed Caren to the dining room for a change of scenery, bringing along her food trays.
     On a positive note, when Rick brought the boys this afternoon to see Mom, they were ecstatic to see her in a familiar caftan, and in a setting other than a hospital-type room or
bed.
     Pain is very debilitating, and as soon as I left with the boys, Caren was totally worn out and Mary and Rick were transferring her down the hall and to her room.  
     Thank you for your loving prayers and support.  We are all so very grateful.