Where is the Nurse when I need them?

The plight of patients everywhere... where is the nurse when I need them?

It has become normal practice for hospitals and other healthcare facilities to cut costs by decreasing the number of employees. This in turn increases the patient load. In some places nurses now have to do the work they did before, plus what a tech, or CNA, used to do.

The patients under their care now get less time devoted to them. Sometimes that means the nurse comes and goes in a rush and is unable to form a relationship and much needed trust. Sometimes it means the nurse misses a lunch or bathroom break. And more often than not it means certain things get missed; like turning a patient every two hours, adequate oral care, or a proper and thorough bedbath.

What does this mean for the patient?

It means they are left in their room praying that the pain meds they have been waiting for will be coming soon. It means that those who can't move themselves are left to wonder if the missed turns will lead to a bed sore. It means that they are at an increased risk for hospital acquired infections and injury. It means their lives may be at risk.

The nurse working with them may be the best nurse in the world, but with an unreasonable workload things will most certainly fall through the cracks.

And the question that crosses every patient's mind as they wait for help to get to the bathroom while praying it won't be too late by the time someone comes is, "Who benefits from this?" Because it most certainly isn't the patient in need or the overworked nurse.

So who does benefit? Does someone get a new vacation home in Hawaii with the money saved? A new car that costs almost as much as the average American's house?

It's hard not to think such things.

We appreciate all the hard work put into helping our dad. We know at times the staff is stretched thin and it can be difficult to meet all the needs of a patient who can do so little for himself at this time.

We are so blessed to have our mom with him as often as she is able. She has already learned so much about what is required to care for him and doesn't hesitate to do those things when it's necessary. Too often she is the one to switch his boots and reposition him.

Unfortunately she doesn't have the knowledge and required experience to help him empty his bladder when it's time. Sometimes the delay to get that done is a long one. That has the potential to lead to complications we'd rather not think about.

Our plea as a family is that our dad/grandpa continues to improve and avoids complications like pneumonia, UTI's, and bed sores. We pray that the efforts being put forth by the staff and family who visit will be adequate.

But what about those people who don't have a superwife/mom like Annette to help?

These frustrations have come to light during this trial, and while we do our best not to complain we would really like to know why. What is so important that patient care is put second to saving money? Who is there to advocate for the patients, family members, and even the nursing staff?

What can our society do about these problems in our healthcare system?

 

Note: Jeff expressed his concern about the above issue to Julee & Brandi and wanted to make sure that his concerns were heard and posted on the Blog.  Thanks goes to Julee for beautifully expressing Jeff's thoughts & concerns.  As a family we are very grateful for the Nurses and hope that somehow we can get the message across that the patient's care and Nurses who aren't overworked should come FIRST, rather than trying to cut corners and save money.