Authored by BlueAngel on
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
These particular chartings are very true to life. If you pick up an old hospital record or even a new one (chart), you would be truly amazed at the comments -- both humerous as well as the "? stupid ones".
A retired RN friend sent these remarks (she found in one of her internet sources) on to this "ole" retired RN (knowing that the remarks would be very appreciated). Hope you enjoy them also.
ACTUAL CHARTING ON HOSPITAL CHARTS
1. The patient refused autopsy.
2. The patient has no previous history of suicides.
3. Patient has left white blood cells at another hospital.
4. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was
very hot in bed last night.
5. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.
6. On the second day the knee was better, and on the third day it
disappeared.
7. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be
depressed.
8. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.
9. Discharge status: Alive but without my permission.
10. Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year old male, mentally alert but
forgetful.
11. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.
12. She is numb from her toes down.
13. While in ER, she was examined, X-rated and sent home.
14. The skin was moist and dry.
15. Occasional, constant infrequent headaches.
16. Patient was alert and unresponsive.
17. Rectal examination revealed a normal size thyroid.
18. She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life,
until she got a divorce.
19. I saw your patient today, who is still under our car for physical
therapy.
20. Both breasts are equal and reactive to light and accommodation.
21. Examination of genitalia reveals that he is circus sized.
22. The lab test indicated abnormal lover function.
23. Skin: somewhat pale but present.
24. The pelvic exam will be done later on the floor.
25. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.
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Authored by BlueAngel on
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Here's Some of the newest information from WdD-40 which you can use at your discretion!
-During the winter months, many drivers deal with salted roads. As anyone who has driven on these roads knows, salt damages the exterior ofautomobiles. WD-40 can prevent this damage with ease.
Use a WD-40 Big Blast to:
-Spray the entire undercarriage of your automobile after driving on salted roads. The WD-40 spray will remove the salt, will drive out moisture and help prevent oxidation and corrosion.
-Help remove rust and corrosion that is already in place. Spray WD-40
on an affected area and buff. You’ll note the positive effects immediately
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Authored by BlueAngel on
Sunday, November 14, 2004
The following are the tips for the weeks obeginning November 14. Enjoy!!
The wheelbarrow is one of your garden’s most valuable tools! Whether it’s toting mulch, helping move an uprooted tree stump or wheeling concrete to and fro, this handy helper can make your gardening much easier and save you some strenuous work. WD-40 helps keep your wheelbarrow in great shape.
Use it to:
-Coat the wheelbarrow to prevent rust and corrosion from forming. Use a
light spray over the entire wheelbarrow and let it sit after use.
You’ll see the effects in no time
-Prevent grass, mulch and wood chips from sticking. After using a wheelbarrow, coat the bed with WD-40 and wipe clean. The next time you use
it, you’ll note that its contents are removed with ease and clean-up is a snap
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This email is sent only to subscribers.
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Authored by BlueAngel on
Monday, November 01, 2004
Ann interesting newsletter. Pay attention to the medication listing suggested. It could be your lifesaver.
Subject: Eldercare Matters, November 1, 2004
Eldercare Matters
The newsletter for all elder caregivers.
Sent to you twice a month, and only by request.
Please feel free to pass on Eldercare Matters
to anyone you think might be interested.
-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------
Read this issue in full color online:
http://www.eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm
You are receiving this email newsletter because you
asked to receive it. If you've changed your mind, or
if you want to leave us for any reason at all, you can
remove your name below.
-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------
> The Little Old Lady In Tennis Shoes... <
...Is One Smart Cookie
When I ran to the store this morning I saw her again...the elderly
lady who is there at least twice a week. She is beautifully dressed
and coiffed, and she holds the shopping basket with a death grip
as she wobbles along in her high heels. Her cane is discreetly
hooked over the handle of the cart.
We've all seen her, or her sister or neighbor. She's the proud
elderly lady who won't use a walker because it "makes her look
old," and who wears her leather-soled high heels because that's
how well-brought-up ladies dress to leave the house.
And she's at such high risk for a bad fall and a broken hip that
I have to resist the urge to call 911 every time I see her.
Falls are the most frequent cause of fatal injury to older adults.
If they aren't fatal, they often result in an injury that permanently
destroys the elder's remaining quality of life.
Convincing an older person to wear safe footwear may be one
of the most important things you will ever do to help prevent one
of these falls.
Recently a study published in the September issue of the
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society ("Footwear Style
and Risk of Falls in Older Adults") compared the number of falls
within a group wearing athletic/canvas shoes, lace-up oxfords,
loafers/flats, other shoe styles (including boots, high heels, sandals
and slippers), and going shoeless (barefoot or stocking feet).
They determined that athletic shoes (sneakers) were associated
with the lowest risk of falling, while older adults going shoeless had
the highest risk. Compared to athletic shoes, other footwear was
associated with a 30 percent greater risk of a fall.
Note this again: A 30% greater risk of a fall when wearing
leather-soled shoes.
If you possibly can, encourage your mother, father, aunt, uncle,
older friend to wear athletic shoes. (The kind with the Velcro
closures are easy to get on and off for those who have trouble
managing ties - an added benefit). It might be an uphill battle,
but the added safety is worth it.
You might have to buy your mother a new outfit or two to go
with her new shoes...but it's a lot cheaper and more fun than
paying for a nursing home if she falls and breaks a hip.
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Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you've
got to start young.
Theodore Roosevelt
-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------
> Senior Medication Watch List <
As we age our bodies don't always use or react to medications
in the same way as when we were younger. Some medications
tend to build up in the older body instead of being efficiently
flushed out by our kidneys. One chronic health condition can
be adversely affected by something we take for another condition.
Sadly, not every physician is able or willing to keep up with
prescribing criteria that may differ for their young, middle-
aged and senior patients.
So, as an advocate for a senior, The "Beers Criteria for
Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults"
is something you should be aware of. The Beers Criteria is
a list of 48 medications, or classes of medications, that should
be scrutinized closely because they have the potential to be
harmful to older adults. First issued in 1991, these criteria
are often revised and updated
According to the team who put together the list, there are
instances where these medications may be appropriate, but
most of the time these drugs are being used inappropriately
with the elderly. Often there is an alternative that would be
better suited for an older patient.
I carry a copy of the list with me whenever I go with a client
to the doctor. If I have not had the opportunity to be there, I
review any new medications that have been prescribed. If
necessary, I try to give the doctor a call before we fill anything
questionable.
Not every doctor is thrilled to have his or her prescribing
practices questioned...sometimes you have to bend waaaay
over backwards to avoid offending the doctor. Sometimes,
if the doctor is especially rigid, there's no way to avoid it. (One
doctor did ask rather nastily where I went to medical school -
we've since changed doctors). If you're worried about going
to the doctor, have a conference with your pharmacist. They
usually appreciate the chance to be part of your care team,
and they'll often go back to the doctor on your behalf.
You'll find a copy of the "Beers Criteria" at
http://mqa.dhs.state.tx.us/qmweb/MedSim/MedSimTable1.htm
Print it out and keep it with your medical information so it's
handy for reference. It might save someone's life.
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Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint."
Mark Twain
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If you haven't made your travel reservations for
Thanksgiving yet, it's probably getting close to being too late.
It's time to start thinking about December (can you
believe it?). If your elder needs special travel arrangements
remember that you have to set some things up in advance.
If you'll be flying with someone who needs special
equipment or assistance, call your airline now. You'll need
extra time (and a doctor's prescription) to set up oxygen,
travel companions and other special services.
'Till next time
Molly
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Do you know someone who's struggling with the stress and
guilt of caring for an older family member? Send them a copy
of Eldercare Matters and suggest they sign up.
Molly Shomer
Head Coach
The Eldercare Team
http://www.eldercareteam.com
mshomer@eldercareteam.com
Box 700291
Dallas, TX 75370
(972) 395-7823
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© 2004 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to
use material from "Eldercare Matters" as long as you include
complete attribution, including live web site link and email
link. I would appreciate it if you would let me know where
the material will appear.
To subscribe, send a blank email to
eldermatters@aweber.com
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