chemgirl
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2009
- Messages
- 2,345
I really don't know how to approach this without totally insulting the nurse.
Back story: DH had bursitis a few weeks ago and it was pretty severe. Our doctor drained it and gave him a steroid injection. Unfortunately, the injection site became infected and it didn't respond to antibiotics. At that point we were in my home town visiting my parents so we went to the ER. The ER doctor had to cut open his elbow and drain pus. Then we had to see an orthopedic surgeon for additional wound care. There was significant infection so the surgeon packed the wound with ribbon and left a wick for drainage. We were told to have the ribbon changed every 3 days and to follow-up with our GP to get it looked at and set up home care.
We did the follow-up and our GP said the wound was healing nicely, but she would like the ribbon changed every 2 days for the first week, then every 3 days if all looked good. We were referred to home care.
Small snag. There is a shortage of home care nurses in our region so they referred us to the hospital wound center.
A bit annoying since DH is in excruciating pain for the ribbon changes and needs to be on percocet. Our doctor tried to argue that he can't drive, but we live on a bus route so they wouldn't budge.
Anyway long story, but we hear from the hospital today (a day early) and they needed him in for a change immediately. He said no, he can't get there, so we are going first thing in the morning.
The head nurse says the doctors are all wrong and the ribbon needs to be changed daily.
Directions on the package say change every 3-5 days.
How do I deal with this nurse tomorrow? I am so bad at confrontation.
Eta: changed to omit identifying info.
Back story: DH had bursitis a few weeks ago and it was pretty severe. Our doctor drained it and gave him a steroid injection. Unfortunately, the injection site became infected and it didn't respond to antibiotics. At that point we were in my home town visiting my parents so we went to the ER. The ER doctor had to cut open his elbow and drain pus. Then we had to see an orthopedic surgeon for additional wound care. There was significant infection so the surgeon packed the wound with ribbon and left a wick for drainage. We were told to have the ribbon changed every 3 days and to follow-up with our GP to get it looked at and set up home care.
We did the follow-up and our GP said the wound was healing nicely, but she would like the ribbon changed every 2 days for the first week, then every 3 days if all looked good. We were referred to home care.
Small snag. There is a shortage of home care nurses in our region so they referred us to the hospital wound center.
A bit annoying since DH is in excruciating pain for the ribbon changes and needs to be on percocet. Our doctor tried to argue that he can't drive, but we live on a bus route so they wouldn't budge.
Anyway long story, but we hear from the hospital today (a day early) and they needed him in for a change immediately. He said no, he can't get there, so we are going first thing in the morning.
The head nurse says the doctors are all wrong and the ribbon needs to be changed daily.
Directions on the package say change every 3-5 days.
How do I deal with this nurse tomorrow? I am so bad at confrontation.
Eta: changed to omit identifying info.