tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21050713.post140260493613301132..comments2023-10-31T11:30:53.528-04:00Comments on Master of Irony: That wasn't funJust Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01085642883987294862noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21050713.post-46517675012387722232010-01-07T00:40:50.862-05:002010-01-07T00:40:50.862-05:00At my work I tell the charge nurse, and I tell the...At my work I tell the charge nurse, and I tell the doctor, and I say that I'm documenting it and that I'm documenting that I told them. There's protocol that the doctor has to follow and by saying that I'm charting it I feel like I kind of passively force them into following it. Of course, we have our docs around regularly so I can always pull this out if I need to.<br /><br />Alternatively, can you use your expertise (from your prior position in a psych facility- not from your personal experience- if anyone asks) to lead the way in addressing it? Talk openly with the patient about managing, make a contract? You probably know way better than I do what kinds of things I'm talking about. Sometimes I feel that other staff blow it off because they are uncomfortable and feel unqualified to address it. I find that if I come in assertively (but polite and deferential- it's hard to find a balance...) and say something like: "back when I worked at... we addressed this kind of thing as follows..." I often can get other staff on board with my plan.<br /><br />Finally- The facility's got to have an anonymous hotline, or social worker, or- failing that- an ombudsman that you can go to if you feel certain that there will be an unsafe discharge because of this. <br /><br />And Michal Ann, yes- they do place a (slightly) lower value on his life- but they probably don't mean to.otgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01126129284810344299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21050713.post-57156250130508894062010-01-06T20:16:18.403-05:002010-01-06T20:16:18.403-05:00I hope you can find the right person to contact ab...I hope you can find the right person to contact about this. It's pretty awful that no one was more responsive about this. I would like to think that a nursing facility would have a mechanism in place to deal with the mental health needs of its residents, but I'm probably dreaming.Jean Greyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13826037279061710386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21050713.post-4562461744490361912010-01-06T14:56:06.723-05:002010-01-06T14:56:06.723-05:00Once again, you are able to make good use of your ...Once again, you are able to make good use of your experience to help another person when those around you seem ignorant and callous. You are a beacon of light in a dark place. Don't the others know that the elderly, especially men, are in a high risk group for suicide? Do they really value his life this little? <br /><br />Your co-workers don't need to know that your knowledge and compassion spring from your personal challenges. If you have to explain the reason for your well-founded concern, and I don't believe you do, you could inform them that "someone close to me has dealt with...xyz..." I think you could call upon the general knowledge that they should have as professionals. Is there a higher authority you could inform? At a minimum, they should be concerned as a matter of liability. They know the danger signs and are cold-hearted bystanders. H(eck), even postal workers save lives on their rounds in the neighborhood when they happen upon someone in danger!<br /><br />You know the gentleman is hurting and you know he needs HELP! He needs someone with a brain and a heart...that would be you. I know you can't do it all but you are the one who can be the megaphone for his cries for help.<br /><br />I read this quote the other day:<br /><br />"To this world you may be one small person, but to one small person you may be the world!"<br /><br />(anonymous )<br /><br />I would never wish this dilemma upon you but here it is. You are a very important person in a very significant professional role. It seems to be another place for you to minister out of the experience and the help that you've received.<br /><br />"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort that we ourselves have received from God."<br /><br />2 Corinthians 1: 3-4Michal Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17680002305753968190noreply@blogger.com