AboutMargot RN BScN GNC Expertise GERONTOLOGY (NURSING ISSUES RELATED TO THE ELDERY) I have 15+ years experience working with the elderly. I would be pleased to offer any assistance I can. My areas of expertise include: Gerontology / Geriatrics, Long Term Care, Community Nursing, Palliative Care, Private Nursing Services, Intermediate / Extended Care. I also have a personal interest in Homeopathic and Eastern Medicine. If I can not answer your question I`ll do my best to direct you to an appropriate resource. Thank you.
Experience I have fifteen years experience in Gerontological Nursing both in the community, and in Long Term Care. I have worked as a General Duty Nurse, a Nurse Manager, and a Nursing Consultant in Long Term Care and Community Nursing.I have a great deal of experience working with, assessing, and educating in the field of Gerontology (Nursing the Elderly). I am familiar with the challenges associated with Dementia (Alzheimer's), Chronic and Terminal illnesses. Experience in the area 20 years of Long Term Care and Community Nursing, specialising in Geriatrics, Gerontology and PalliativeCare.
Education/Credentials Registered Nurse , Certified Gerontological Nurse, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Question I am my mother's P.O.A. I have always asked for my mother's morning blood pressure readings when I visit in the evening. I was told that it was Ok and nothing to worry about. I just found out that the parameters that my mom's doctor had set were not being followed. They were supposed to call him when it was higher than the parameters. The night nurse was shocked about this and faxed the readings to the doctor. The doctor put my mom on another bp medication. The nurses responsible was written up for med errors.
The night nurse was reprimanded by management for telling me my mom's bp. I am told that now I will have to go to medical records to get her daily bp reading and that they have 24 hours to give them to me. That means I won't know what her bp was for a given day until the next or two.
Does this make sense? Thank You.
Answer Hi Barb,
I'm sorry but I'm not sure which part you're referring to when you ask if it makes sense.
I can tell you that there are good and not-so-good people in every profession, and nursing is no exception. i cannot guess why the day nurse would not follow the protocol - was she not aware, did she simply not care, is she basically incompetent or is she run off her feet and delegated that protocol as less important?
The response to her actions sound normal. The day nurse should be dealt with and a written incident report is a good sign that the nursing department is taking it seriously. Reprimanding the night nurse is management's way of 'teaching' her to the way they want these things handled; I'm not sure what their specific issue was with her.
