Satisfaction from wiping POO? GASP!

40 Maybe it's just me. Maybe I have had too much time to read AN this weekend. But, sometimes I find it rewarding to give my patient a nice, warm REAL bed bath. Wash their hair, shave them, be able to feel like I actually got to give my patient my FULL attention for their bath. Not a hurried bath and linen change. This happens so infrequently. And if a patient stools in the bed, is it my favorite moment of the shift? No. Especially if it is the 12th time they have done it. But, usually, the pt is mortified and their bottom is excoriated so much I feel horrible if I have to leave them in their stool an extra second. I don't even consider the fact that I have had to clean poop all day. Are there days I groan that I have to do it? Absolutely. But... I have to admit... sometimes... making sure somebodies A** is clean and aloe-vesta'ed up on fresh blue pads in a clean gown is pretty dang satisfying to me. Ok, I'l get off my soap box now.
Yuck.I don't even like wiping my own butt, let alone someone else's.Still, while I don't quite share your excitement about the issue, I try to treat my patients like I would want my parents to be treated if it was one of them in that bed, so when it happens, I put a smile on my face and take care of business.That's why we do what we do - because we care about people and want to help them.

I had a detoxing patient poop with such velocity that it hit the ceiling of the room the other day.Then he started screaming profanities, tried to kick me, and actually managed to spit on the tech who was helping us. I did, however, put some vaseline on his poor, cracked feet after we put him in four-point restraints.

Quote from dirtyhippiegirlI had a detoxing patient poop with such velocity that it hit the ceiling of the room the other day.Then he started screaming profanities, tried to kick me, and actually managed to spit on the tech who was helping us. I did, however, put some vaseline on his poor, cracked feet after we put him in four-point restraints.

i'd much rather wipe someone's backside than suction mucus from their lungs.

Quote from RN in trainingHoly moly!!!

Quote from sharpeimomi'd much rather wipe someone's backside than suction mucus from their lungs.

snort! holy snot buckets, never again.

Quote from iluvhrtsMaybe it's just me. Maybe I have had too much time to read AN this weekend. But, sometimes I find it rewarding to give my patient a nice, warm REAL bed bath. Wash their hair, shave them, be able to feel like I actually got to give my patient my FULL attention for their bath. Not a hurried bath and linen change. This happens so infrequently. And if a patient stools in the bed, is it my favorite moment of the shift? No. Especially if it is the 12th time they have done it. But, usually, the pt is mortified and their bottom is excoriated so much I feel horrible if I have to leave them in their stool an extra second. I don't even consider the fact that I have had to clean poop all day. Are there days I groan that I have to do it? Absolutely. But... I have to admit... sometimes... making sure somebodies A** is clean and aloe-vesta'ed up on fresh blue pads in a clean gown is pretty dang satisfying to me. Ok, I'l get off my soap box now.

there is something extraordinarily humbling, when trying to restore a person's debilitated spirit and body, through one of life's most private and intimate acts. the pt is totally dependent on us, and trusts that we will treat him with nothing but due diligence and respect.for me, that is a privilege.why wouldn't i/we be gratified?leslie

Quote from sharpeimomsnort! holy snot buckets, never again.

I can't agree more. Sometimes spending that extra time in there will keep them off their call lights.Years ago I had a woman that had back surgery and was in a brace. She hurt so bad that she did not move or sleep well for almost 2 days. The pain meds were not working well. Either the pt or her partner were on that light all night, according to the RN who had 'them' the night before. Sure enough, I was hardly out of report when the call light came on. Long story short, I found out that this poor woman needed to be moved, have a bath, meds and take the brace off and have her back rubbed just a bit. My buddy and I turned this woman, washed her from head to toe, rubbed her back, put on clean sheets and gown. I then gave her the usual pain meds. Guess what? She slept for 6 hours! Her partner was so happy that she gave us all big hugs. It's nice when the simple things in our job can make all the difference.

For me, its time well spent as I can check the persons skin, show dignity by keeping them covered, show respect and thank them for assisting me in my task. I also use the time to talk, sometimes just explaining what I'm about to do.i've been thanked more than once for being thorough in my care. And families have thanked me for treating their loved ones with dignity and respect.