Comments | phoenixsansfyr: Counterintuitive

phoenixsansfyr

Counterintuitive - LJ Idol

Jan 04, 2012 15:33

Since transitioning out of an emergency environment on the ambulances and into transfers, the degree of sheer ridiculousness I have to deal with has skyrocketed. My agency does any non-emergency transfer into or out of a hospital in the better part of three counties. Living around a metro area of a solid million people means there is a LOT of ( Read more... )

ljidol

Comments 28

kehlen January 4 2012, 22:05:19 UTC

It is impossible to say anything.

*shakes head*

(I know someone who underwent a similar operation and the results are truly amazing.)

phoenixsansfyr January 4 2012, 23:05:54 UTC

I have so much respect for the folks that are willing to help. SO MUCH respect for them. There's a 600 pound guy we took recently who can walk ten feet - slowly, but surely. He's trying to walk those pounds off so that he can be healthier. At least he's trying. The ones that don't try.... I don't have much respect for.

kehlen January 4 2012, 23:10:48 UTC

Yeah, I know. It seems such a natural thing to do, too.

But apparently it is not for the Mrs what's-her-name types.

baxaphobia January 4 2012, 23:12:25 UTC

I have no doubt these stories are true. I work at an independent living center and deal with a lot of disabled people, some of which are just like Ms. Smith. And I also take paratransit to and from work and some of our drivers also work on the ambulance. I've heard stories! Sigh.

phoenixsansfyr January 4 2012, 23:20:28 UTC

Oh, yuck, I sympathize. I at least get to drop them off, deal with them for maybe half an hour...

whipchick January 4 2012, 23:22:05 UTC

Wow. What a contrast--sobering.

phoenixsansfyr January 4 2012, 23:34:27 UTC

I'm not sure which is worse - that people like Miss Smith are a regular in my little world, or that 300 is 'big'. We don't start really complaining until someone's nearing 400. And that's just scary. But! This is a slice of life in modern America.

basric January 5 2012, 04:06:32 UTC

Though I sympathize with these people who weigh over 400 pounds, what it does to the back to pull them up in a bed with another nurse both of us together weighting less than 300 pounds--its murder on the back and many a nurse has broken a thoracic disk in their back (between their shoulder blades) So I understand the dilemma. All I can say is take care of your back and widen your base.

phoenixsansfyr January 5 2012, 04:14:00 UTC

400 is the point where I start complaining that someone is heavy. I'm a female under 200, and while I've got some lifting power, there's only so much I can do. Sad is that this side of the industry has conditioned me to reconsider what is heavy and what is huge ('normal' size is 250-275 depending on height for the 'normal' height human). Once I get a couple more certs, I'm going back to something I can do longer with a lower risk of injury. I had a torsion injury in my back a year ago, and my knees are starting to feel it even with the pneumatic cots.

I'd say you have the advantage in a hospital of grabbing as many hands as you need, but you don't do med-surg and the wait is more annoying than anything else, especially in trauma. Time is a luxury on your unit. You guys take care of yourselves, because the world needs good nurses. You're few and far between.

basric January 5 2012, 04:22:36 UTC

I have worked med/surg, started my career there. and There were times I'd be lucky to find one other pair of hands. Putting the head of the bed down and feet up making them dig heels into the bed still you pull and your back is aching by morning.

I don't envy your job. Though if I were 30 instead of 40 I'd get that paramedic license to go with my RN & PA and get a job on LifeFlight Helicopters. Money's great and they are weight limited.

mstrobel January 12 2012, 10:35:49 UTC

My mum used to be a nurse. It pretty much did her back in. :(

I can't imagine a 750lb person. Whoa.

That was just... incredible to read.

jacq22 January 5 2012, 23:40:50 UTC

Makes me cringe, and sometimes the pure selfishness of the patient, the 'poor me' attitude has got them right where they are. Militant obese patients are the hardest to deal with. This highlights a growing problem, it can only get worse, as we all eat ourselves into the grave.
Great contrast between the guy who tried and the woman who just complained. I look foward to your pieces every time. I think I told you I worked in aged care until I was nearly carted off to the locked ward myself, LOL. Lifting, and handling was becoming a big health and safety issue, and more and more equipment became part of the daily routine. Sorry, gone on a bit!