I Am So Angry

OceanGoingGal · Post by **OceanGoingGal** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:00 am

Today at work I found a dangerous situation. I work with people who have developmental disabilities, I was sent to a group home this morning with a woman who has OSA. When I went to her room to get her up she was there with no mask on nor had it been on her for 2 nights. There she was lying on her back. A simple clip had broken off and they just took the mask off and told her to get along with out the machine. She told me she was having a hard time sleeping and breathing. I was angry that the overnight staff did not even notify the house manager to get part replacement. That was not all but the new young house manager did not understand how serious OSA is. I set her straight and told her to "google" Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I took the mask home and got her what she needed from my extra stash. I noted that the mask liner was torn and needed to be replaced. I also noted an odor coming from the mask. Upon a closer inspection I could see the mask was filthy. I took it to my sink and soaked it in Ivory dish soap and hot water. I scrubbed it with a soft cloth and set it to dry. I then called the manager and asked when the last time was that the machine had been cleaned. She had no idea but thought it probably was never. When I get back to the day program I am going to find the lead trainer and suggest to him that the care and cleaning of cpap equipment become part of the training for employees. They treat this equipment and illness as if it were a big joke. This really makes me angry. Sorry to vent on all of you but I knew if anyone understands it is all of you.

Laura

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:09 am

Good on you, OceanGoingGal! And THANK YOU! It makes one shudder to think of what else doesn't get overseen and done properly for these patients in these living situations.

My mom got excellent care the 2 years I was able to drop in most every day at irregular times when the staff had no idea when I would show up. The last year when my work hours were so long and I was unable to stop most every day and about the same time every day that I could her care went down hill in a hurry and it became a battle w/the staff most every time I got there.

mars · Post by **mars** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:15 am

Hi Laura

I totally support your anger, and hope you keep it up as long as you need to.

Somewhere back in history is the first person who laughed at a fat person, and somewhere is the first person who laughed at someone using a cpap mask. We have got to say "shame on you" to those who continue with this abuse, until the community's mindset is changed once and for all.

Good on you, Laura, and well done.

cheers

Mars

jazzer4 · Post by **jazzer4** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:17 am

How sad and scary.
I guess this is going on all over the place.
I hope your note catches the eye of someone who can do something about stuff like this.

And, good for you!!!
Insist they train their staff.

It makes me want to check at the assisted living home near me.
I'm sure they would love it when I walked around looking in each room for someone one a machine.

But, I might do it anyway.

monarch22 · Post by **monarch22** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:47 am

Laura, you went above and beyond to help this person. Not only did you complain to the house manager, but you were kind and generous to take her mask home to repair it with your own supplies and give it a much needed bath!

Although it angers me to think of this lady not being treated right by the staff, it also made me happy to know that there are people like you that are willing to step up and make a difference. Know that you made a difference! What comes around, goes around...We all need to look after one another!!

OutaSync · Post by **OutaSync** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:56 am

Laura, you were an angel to that lady.

I'll bet her filters need to be changed too. Maybe you can give them a replacement schedule for her supplies while you are educating them. They should be ashamed for taking on a patient that they didn't know how to care for.

You are my hero of the day, Laura!

Bev

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:57 am

The term righteous indignation comes to mind. This is wrong on so many levels.Those entrusted with the care of others but don't really care is bad enough, but to neglect the prescribed medical treatment for anyone compromised in their ability to effectively do for themselves is not just morally wrong - it is criminal. The personnel and the establishment need to be very clear that this is as serious as witholding medications or other prescribed therapies, and can get a place shut down. If these things were optional they would be called doctor's suggestions, not doctor's orders. If I choose to play fast and loose with my own health, that's my right. But anyone contracted and paid for their services to care for another has regulations to abide by, and we who see negligence do well to address the issues. Good for you for intervening on your client's behalf. I'm sure you could give valuable input to management as to caregiver training and education where you work.

HoseCrusher · Post by **HoseCrusher** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:15 pm

Laura, the world is a better place because of you. Thank you for your example.

Janknitz · Post by **Janknitz** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:21 pm

Laura,

You go girl!

Does the facility have a "care plan" or some sort of equivalent for each resident? Seems to me that it should be on the care plan and the cleaning and maintenance should be documented regularly.

Maybe you can provide an inservice to all the staff on OSA and care of the CPAP machine?

OceanGoingGal · Post by **OceanGoingGal** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:26 pm

When I got back to the day program I talked to the house manager and told her how I felt about the incident. I was going to talk to the manager of the day program too as he is the trainer and provides orientation training to all new employees. He was not in as he was doing trainings. I think the care and use of the c-pap needs to be a permanent part of the orientation training. I called back the house manager and told her that. She agreed. She wants me to come out to the house one day this week and give a demo on how to care for the machine for the staff on all three shifts at the house.

Laura

Emilia · Post by **Emilia** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:36 pm

You might want to use the analogy of having a resident's glucose monitor break, and deciding she could go the next 10 hours without insulin. That is about what they did here....

Kudos for your intervention....

NanceK · Post by **NanceK** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 3:01 pm

You did a great service today, for the woman with OSA as well as her caregivers. Karma...Someday it will return to you!

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 3:58 pm

Thank you, dear angel, from everyone who cannot speak for themselves.
You are a blessing, and they are blesst to have you.

jbn3boys · Post by **jbn3boys** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 4:35 pm

monarch22 wrote:Laura, you went above and beyond to help this person. Not only did you complain to the house manager, but you were kind and generous to take her mask home to repair it with your own supplies and give it a much needed bath!

Although it angers me to think of this lady not being treated right by the staff, it also made me happy to know that there are people like you that are willing to step up and make a difference. Know that you made a difference! What comes around, goes around...We all need to look after one another!!

I couldn't have said it better myself!

pbach · Post by **pbach** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:05 pm

Laura,
You were meant to be there. You were meant to be their advocate.

I work with children in special education. I often thought nobody better to advocate for them than their parents. But many times it is the other person who cares most; that advocates the best.

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