Just How Messy Does It Get???

OK, I have a question...Generally, when I watch others clean up a mess they are efficient and able to quickly and thoroughly clean a mess...Me, on the other hand---I usually end up dropping the cleaning agent, as well as the towels, paper or whatever I'm using into the mess while dragging my sleeve through it, or stepping in it, or skidding through it and landing on my butt. Soooooooooooooo, I can't help but to wonder what it's going to be like when it comes to cleaning someone's bed, or their behind, etc in my case???? Seriously, it's like this all the time no matter what I'm cleaning...It's like watching a young fat kid try to clean chocolate off their hands, face, and table.....
The messiest and most horrifying nursing story I've ever heard was on here, just a few days ago. You can read it here, if you dare: Letter from the Illinois Eye-Bank - Nursing for Nurses

Stuff squirts on the floor at least once a month. Be really, really nice to your housekeepers.

Quote from canoeheadStuff squirts on the floor at least once a month. Be really, really nice to your housekeepers.

Quote from greenfiremajickok, i have a question...generally, when i watch others clean up a mess they are efficient and able to quickly and thoroughly clean a mess...me, on the other hand---i usually end up dropping the cleaning agent, as well as the towels, paper or whatever i'm using into the mess while dragging my sleeve through it, or stepping in it, or skidding through it and landing on my butt. soooooooooooooo, i can't help but to wonder what it's going to be like when it comes to cleaning someone's bed, or their behind, etc in my case???? seriously, it's like this all the time no matter what i'm cleaning...it's like watching a young fat kid try to clean chocolate off their hands, face, and table.....

Quote from queenjulieThe messiest and most horrifying nursing story I've ever heard was on here, just a few days ago. You can read it here, if you dare: Letter from the Illinois Eye-Bank - Nursing for Nurses

You will learn through trial and error. You will be able to change a diarrhea filled bed with as much grace and ease as any other nursing skill. My suggestion is to always keep an extra pair of everything in your locker.

I am like that to when it comes to changing briefs.In my CNA clinicals there was this one woman, completely dead 300lb weight, who had a VERY large BM. My partner and I were able to roll her on her side and arrange her legs so she would be propped up. I used the clean areas on her brief, a whole pack of wipes (30 in each pack) and some washcloths. It took almost 15 minutes to get done.There were just so many folds and creases that I had to get into to clean!

Ohhhh but the worst are the painters....Poo everywhere -- all over themselves, the side rails, the wall, the food tray, the call bell, the light fixtures, the ceiling, in their hair, under their nails, in their mouths...Leonardo DaVinci they are not!!

Quote from Belle EpoqueOhhhh but the worst are the painters....Poo everywhere -- all over themselves, the side rails, the wall, the food tray, the call bell, the light fixtures, the ceiling, in their hair, under their nails, in their mouths...Leonardo DaVinci they are not!!

Another blood story. Hx of etoh, esophageal varices blew, blood on the walls, the computer, everywhere. Wound up giving him 7 units before stablized after clipping. Also found out that the room he was in has a tilt to the floor as the blood flowed and pooled at 1 side. We had to throw towels on th floor so weren't standing in the blood. He lived.

Quote from emtb2rnAnother blood story. Hx of etoh, esophageal varices blew, blood on the walls, the computer, everywhere. Wound up giving him 7 units before stablized after clipping. Also found out that the room he was in has a tilt to the floor as the blood flowed and pooled at 1 side. We had to throw towels on th floor so weren't standing in the blood. He lived.

When I was a very nervous student nurse helping out in Trauma on a busy Saturday night, a patient was brought in with a horrendous open head wound, blood, blood clots and other nameless gore dripping all over the place. The senior neuro-surgeon was called to assess the patient, and it fell to me to assist him clean up and suture the wound.While he worked he kept up a non-stop explanation of what he was doing and why he was doing it, and I was almost feeling relaxed and reasonably comfortable-seeing this poor patient's injuries had really jolted me- when just at the end, I fumbled the bowl I was holding, and spilt a nasty mixture of blood, cleaning solution and water all over the doctor's beautiful camel-coloured trousers..He was such a gentleman...he didn't say a word, just gave me a rather pained look and thanked me for my help.Horror stories aside, there is a particular process that you are supposed to follow while cleaning up organic spills (heh heh, what a euphemism) which, if you follow it correctly, should help you avoid the worst of the mess;Cleaning of Blood and Body Spills-Cover with paper towel to prevent spread.-Collect necessary equipment:-Unsterile gloves.-Paper towel.-Plastic refuse bag.-Hypochloride detergent.-Wipe spill and discard into red plastic bag for contaminated waste.-Use cardboard to clean up glass if necessary.-Cover area with paper and soak with hypochloride for 10 minutes.-Wipe up and place everything into red plastic bag.-Dispose with contaminated waste.Always make sure that you have cleaned the waste completely before disinfecting. And to prevent soiling yourself and your clothes, there are such things as protective garments