Warm, Dark, Moist…OH MY!
Bacteria, Viruses and other pathogens prefer a specific type of environment to breed…warm, dark and moist. All healthcare workers should be familiar with this concept so they can be on the lookout for any warm, dark, moist places where pathogens may be lurking. Sometimes this is not as easy as it seems. Most of us are familiar with the fact that bathrooms are ideal breeding grounds for pathogens: bathrooms are usually a little warmer...
Energy Conservation
Most healthcare workers never stop to think about things from their patient’s point of view…thinking that everyone’s reality is the same as their own. But this may be a very inaccurate view of your patient’s daily experience! The first thing we have to understand is that if you are there, the patient needs help. If the patient was able to care for themselves, they wouldn’t need you! This means that they have some kind of impairment...
Turning Patients the Right Way
Do you turn a patient toward you or away from you when you are rolling them onto their side? Does it really matter? Yes. Yes, it does. When you roll a patient onto their side, their weight is not proportionally distributed – most of their weight lies along their back, from their head, down through their shoulders, back and buttocks to their feet. If you rolled the patient so that they are facing you, then the majority of their...
Side Rail Silliness
Side rails must be used to promote safety. Right? I mean, everyone knows this is true. Ask anyone on the street. We have seen it in movies and on TV. Many nurses will even tell you that side rails are essential and should always be used. The simple fact is that side rails are considered a restraint. “What?” you may ask. Let me explain. When you have a child and you don’t want them running around unattended, where do...
What is a Care Plan and Why Should I Care?
“Every patient is different.” Sure, we all know that, but what does it really mean? More importantly, what does it mean to YOU, a certified nursing assistant? Well, quite simply, when you walk into a patient’s room, you need to know what to do. Care Plans provide specific instructions on what tasks healthcare team members (such as CNAs) should perform and HOW those tasks should be performed, based on the specific needs of the...
Infection Control 101
When do I wash my hands? A common error that new CNAs make is contaminating their hands after washing. We all know that the sink faucet is dirty and we need a paper towel to turn it off to keep our hands clean…but then we do crazy things like elevating the head of the bed or closing the privacy curtain. Let me help take the mystery out of environmental contamination for you! Learning to differentiate between clean and dirty items...