Home Health Care Nurse Helps in Unexpected Ways

Posted , 7 users are following.

When my doctor decided I should have the NPWT (wound vac) for helping the wound to heal, I also was prescribed a home health care nurse to visit three times a week which I thought was just to change the bandage and check the working of the pump.

The nurse has done so much more for me. Of course, she checks my vital signs each visit. What is so much more for me are the many questions she asks that makes me realize so much is important in the overall recovery. She asks me about how I'm really feeling in addition to eating habits (Yes, I'm upping the protein intake.), sleeping, pain level (I have high tolerance so need to really think about that each visit), bathroom habits (Some details but nothing I'm adding specifically here.), ability to walk better (Still have some discomfort in the area of the healing incision which affects my overall walking, but I avoid the cane as much as possible now), and many other questions/discussions.

The positive reinforcement, just like these discussions on this site, definitely help with overall good spirits. My belief is that during the recovery, everyone needs someone to talk to. This is more than a physical recovery, but also an emotional one.

Interested to read more  comments about this...

5 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • Posted

    Nurses help 
    • Posted

      Yes, they do. I can ask discuss and ask questions that they usually can answer.  Not having to change the dressing myself is a real plus.
    • Posted

      Dianne,

      Just had a second opinion consultation on Friday.  One of the pre requisites for having the surgery at this hospital is a one week 24/7 full time "support" person to help get you through. They apparently agree with you that we need a good deal of help getting though the recovery process.

    • Posted

      I attended a Joint & Spine Surgery Education Class at the hospital a couple of weeks before my surgery. My husband was there, too, as they encouraged the person who was going to be home with the patient to be there, too.

      There was a contact person with title of Orthopedic Navigator who was a contact person for any questions prior to surgery. The class was required by my surgeon and definitely helpful.

  • Posted

    I have a nurse visiting three times a week. I must admit one of them spends more time talking about what has been on TV, but they are all great and really helpful. They are very impressed with my high protein diet which seems to be working.
    • Posted

      The nurses definitely have different personalities, but all are RNs and know their stuff. I knew, too, that high protein diet is very important so I've upped my intake though I always pay attention to importance of protein. I'm a vegetarian (do eat fish and dairy) so do pay attention to what I eat.

    • Posted

      I have one that my sister and I call the Duracell Bunny. She leaps in to the house and is full of life and is terribly enthusiastic. She is probably the worst from the point of view of nursing but she has an incredible personality. She shows me all the photos of her kitchen renovation. I think she is doing her sitting room next! 
    • Posted

      So if nursing isn't so good you can get some renovation tips.

      I've been fortunate that all the nurse who have been hear are very knowledgeable. Since I have the wound pump, I don't have any LPNs since the RNs are the ones to deal with the pump. All have been very professional and friendly.

       

    • Posted

      In all fairness the Duracell Bunny is pretty knowledgable!!
    • Posted

      As a Psychologist I had to carefully self disclose my life events with clients.  I was a pretty good judge when it was appropriate.  Turns out that humanism is therapeutic.
    • Posted

      It's important for them to be relatable to their patients. Otherwise all they would be were technicians.

    • Posted

      The Duracell Bunny is a she. Lots of blonde hair, in her fifties. Larger than life! She has been with me this morning talking about TV programmes I should watch. 
    • Posted

      Every so often we find a caregiver that meets our needs.
    • Posted

      I meant to write she. Too bad I can't edit after something posts here. Always great to have someone who has personality.

    • Posted

      How is your wound. Is it improving fast? 
    • Posted

      Thank you for asking.

      It's amazing how the wound is improving so quickly. In less than a week, the depth was less. Only 10 days since began using the vac and width/length has decreased, too. So much better than the amount of time (weeks)  it would take for the wet/dry dressing. Nurse told me yesterday that I will experience more "discomfort" as it continues to  heal. Definitely right with the twinges but can manage that with occasional Tylenol. Not painful like hip prior to surgery.

       

    • Posted

      I am so glad it is working so well. My district nurse, not the Duracell Bunny one, raves about it and cannot believe the difference it makes in healing. I have recommended it to someone who was in a car accident recently and has a chunk out of her lower leg which is not healing very fast. I assume it may not be for everyone of course.
    • Posted

      Hospitals have used wound vac systems for many years but they are very large and not great for at home use. The one that I'm using is Avance Flex. It's available in many countries.

    • Posted

      NPWT was first used in 1500BC when it was called cupping which is still used by acupuncturists.  As you say initially it was used for people in hospital and the machines were pretty massive. I understand from my district nurse that a lot of development was done because of bullet wounds. I had never heard of it when I had it offered. I had a large wound on my lower leg initially caused by a blister which became infected after my THR, it was 1.5 inches deep and 9 inches long. I did need a debridement operation to clean up the necrosis first. I have got a selection of rather lurid photos! 

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