Well you asked and here it is. Have on hand foaming peri-wash spray or if you don't have that, spray betadine, 3 red biohazard bags (they are just thicker and sturdier than regular garbage bags) and 3 inch tape. Quickly strip off shoes and socks and secure in first biohazard bag. coat each foot in foaming cleanser, put each feet in a biohazard bag and secure by taping around the bag, taking care to not tape too tightly and not tape directly to skin (to make a biohazard bag sock.)
Now here is a little known fact about me that not even some of my closest friends would guess, I buy good condition used shoes at Salvation Army and stash them in the ER, I also buy white athletic socks there or at the dollar store. After the toxic feet have been percolating for a bit I give them a good soak in a couple of bath basins and wash and debride them and give the patient clean socks and shoes before they leave. I have never had anyone refuse to let me do this.
I had a patient one time that was homeless and came in with bilateral foot pain. He was relatively clean, dressed in jeans and cowboy boots and hat. It had been raining for days and he had walked for miles with wet feet. He had one of the worst cases of trench foot I have ever seen, both feet were covered by huge broken blisters. I got him cleaned, debrided and bandaged, three pairs of clean dry socks and slippers, dry clothes and we all chipped in and paid for a cab ride to the homeless shelter and sent him there with a note for them to please let him stay inside until his feet healed, otherwise they get sent out onto the street after breakfast. He was the most thankful patient I have ever had, called me ma'am and was unfailingly polite. I heard later that the mission got him a bus ticket to another state where he had a brother he could live with.
That was a day when it felt good to be a nurse.
8 comments:
love it, another thing that works- clove oil and iodiform strips. Not sure why but Iodiform strips soak up smell. There is always the pour the babypowder trick but that lasts for 2 seconds or less. I think the best way is to keep the shoes on
That is really nice. I love hearing stories of people that are willing to do a little extra.
That's good karma for sure.
Ahh, so you do have some heartwarming stories in your repertoire.
You have something that can't be taught in school. Compassion and empathy. Now I'm going to bring in my lightly used sneakers and some socks too!
I love the patented toxic foot odor technique, I'm gonna use that too, if ever I get another TFP! (like I won't now that I cursed myself by saying TFP!)
I have enjoyed reading your blog, but I haven't read the whole thing. Was nursing our first career choice? I have a theory about CNA/LNA's making the best RN's. Were you ever?
Mudme, I wasn't a CNA before I became a nurse, I decided to go to nursing school after the break up of my marriage so that I could have a job that would allow me to support me and the ERkids.
I have heard stories that nurses eventually lose that compassion for their patients. It is nice to see this is not the case for you!
As a nursing student, it almost gives me goosebumps to read blogs like yours. It helps me to see what I'm getting myself into and reminds me exactly why I am. And this is the most heartwarming story yet. I hope I can be as caring
It was certainly interesting for me to read that post. Thanks for it. I like such themes and everything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read a bit more soon.
Post a Comment