posted
Hi, This is my 8th day of PIV live with Invanz. A nurse came to the house to change my IV & I watched her pull the saline siringe cap with her teeth, then said her teeth are her 3rd hand. I understand that it is alot to do to change things but it just doesnt sit right with me. Should I be concerned? I called the infusion agency to ask them, so I dont know where this will go now. Any comments???
Posts: 443 | From The North Star | Registered: Jan 2010
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
That was wrong & disgusting what she did. I would have kicked her out & called the state Dept. Of Health not just her employer.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
The cap is on the syringe of saline to protect it. I don't think it really matters if you pull it off with your toes, as long as the needle stays sterile.
In all the times I changed IV dressings, I never used my teeth. Perhaps the infusion agency needs to refine that protocol.
Carol
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
That is a bad habit. Kindly tell the nurse that it makes you nervous and you would prefer that she only use her two hands.
Also, insist that your nurse wash her hands when she comes into your house to care for you. She can use hand sanitizer gel afterwards if that's what she likes but must use soap and water before she touches you. Alcohol based hand sanitizer gels/foams do not kill C.diff spores. Good old soap and water scrubs are your best protection.
The nurse is there to care for you. If you feel uncomfortable with your given nurse, contact the supervisor and request a change.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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massman
Unregistered
posted
Did she GROWL when she did it ?
A throaty growl ? (this is a wink icon, meaning the words that come before it are a joke )
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posted
I think the teeth thing is common, but still unacceptable. Maybe you could be her "third hand". I wouldn't want ANYTHING near another person's mouth that is supposed to be sterile. We've got enough to deal with, we don't need an additional infection from an unsanitary infusion nurse. Good luck.
Posts: 246 | From south florida | Registered: Mar 2010
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