We found out today that even though Rhys’ new pod is still considered level 3, it is staffed with level 2 nurses. This means he will no longer have his primary nurses unless we find level 2 nurses that we like. We are beyond unhappy about this. And to be honest, I haven’t been much impressed with the new pod so far. Cody and I have camped out at the hospital (literally) every day since his birth, but the new pod has a completely different feeling and I don’t like it. To those who’ve never done this it may not sound like that big of a deal. But, it is a HUGE deal. If you have children think about this: how would you feel if you were unhappy with who was taking care of your child but you had absolutely no power to do anything about it? That is where we are. The only small consolation is that his primary doctor is back on shift and Rhys will remain on his team for the rest of the month. After that I am thinking he will be booted to a different doctor team. This is fantastic for Rhys in that he doesn’t need to be on the sick baby team or in the critical pod, but at the same time he is being handed over to a different group of people who don’t know a thing about him. I don’t know that I have the patience for another learning curve.
I also found out yesterday that the night nurse gave Rhys ativan because he was basically crying too much. This made me completely furious. I told the day nurse my feelings about it (of course it wasn’t her fault, she didn’t do it) so if I find out today that he got it again I am not sure what I will do. Nursing managers beware!! If he really needs it, fine, help him relax. But, don’t you dare drug my child because you think you’re too busy to figure out what is wrong with him. If he is thrashing his head and moving around maybe he needs something other than you medicating him. I have noticed in the new pod that they don’t really try to figure out WHY Rhys is crying, they just crank up his oxygen if he starts to desat. I am not okay with that. Think along the lines of if your child’s daycare was able to sedate them because they were just taking up too much of their time. Sounds ridiculous I know, but that is what I'm feeling like. Or, how would you feel if your child’s teacher recommended that you medicate them for say ADD? At least in that case you’d make the decision. Imagine our frustration, we aren’t consulted before they do it.
Anyway, I spoke to the doctor yesterday and he is very excited about Rhys’ progress. His plan is to take him to CPAP of 4 (when I do not know) and then to nasal cannula. I feel like he will take a day or two to watch him since he just got on shift, but I could be wrong. He has instructed the nurses to be more aggressive in weaning Rhys' oxygen, so he isn't sitting at 77% O2 and satting 95 like he was yesterday. Overall he said he looks great and this doctor definitely wouldn’t say it if he didn’t mean it! Way to go little man!
I also found out yesterday that the night nurse gave Rhys ativan because he was basically crying too much. This made me completely furious. I told the day nurse my feelings about it (of course it wasn’t her fault, she didn’t do it) so if I find out today that he got it again I am not sure what I will do. Nursing managers beware!! If he really needs it, fine, help him relax. But, don’t you dare drug my child because you think you’re too busy to figure out what is wrong with him. If he is thrashing his head and moving around maybe he needs something other than you medicating him. I have noticed in the new pod that they don’t really try to figure out WHY Rhys is crying, they just crank up his oxygen if he starts to desat. I am not okay with that. Think along the lines of if your child’s daycare was able to sedate them because they were just taking up too much of their time. Sounds ridiculous I know, but that is what I'm feeling like. Or, how would you feel if your child’s teacher recommended that you medicate them for say ADD? At least in that case you’d make the decision. Imagine our frustration, we aren’t consulted before they do it.
Anyway, I spoke to the doctor yesterday and he is very excited about Rhys’ progress. His plan is to take him to CPAP of 4 (when I do not know) and then to nasal cannula. I feel like he will take a day or two to watch him since he just got on shift, but I could be wrong. He has instructed the nurses to be more aggressive in weaning Rhys' oxygen, so he isn't sitting at 77% O2 and satting 95 like he was yesterday. Overall he said he looks great and this doctor definitely wouldn’t say it if he didn’t mean it! Way to go little man!
8 comments:
I have been following your little one's progress since we too had 24 weeker trips back in 3-2007.
I suggest you call a "family meeting" with the Dr and nurses, social worker ect...
We did that when things started to get tough with one of our girls.
Have list of questions/concerns and schedule this meeting.
I't almost like you are reading the exact thoughts that I had one year ago. Olivia was a huge swinger on her oxygen and the nurses that didn't know her, would just increase her oxygen so that she'd sat at 100. When she moved to Special Care (the step down from the NICU) we had to complain about our first nurse ever and said that we NEVER wanted her to take care of Olivia again. There were many reasons why, but she kept calling Olivia a HE. Ryan even said, "Olivia is my daughter. . .she's a SHE!" She still called Olivia a HE. To me, that says that you don't care at all about my child. I remember being so frustrated because as a parent, you should have a say in who takes care of your child. Most parents do. My heart goes out to you. Reading your post, all that anger that I felt a year ago is immerging. I'm so sorry. I hope things get better and I can't wait for the day that you get to bring Rhys home and have full control over who takes care of him.
Advocate for your child! I agree, call a family meeting. Can you spend the night with him in the NICU or no? I would definitely let your thoughts/feelings known about how your son was treated.
totally feel for you. I can only imagine your anger and frustration. The only consolation is that you know he will not be in that unit when he turns 1. he will be at home with you - it will happen, eventually!!!
Hear Candice Roar! I think a "family meeting" is a good idea. Let the doctors, nurse, etc. all know your frustrations, fears, and concerns. Some nurses are better than others and don't hestitate to voice your opinion about a nurse that doesn't seem to care. That's their job and if they aren't doing it right, they shouldn't be doing it at all! Hang in there guys!
Reading how Rhys was treated totally infuriated me! I can't believe nurses would EVER act in that manner!? I have no problem writing a press release on the incompetencies of NICU nurses and submitting that to all the local media in Houston! Everyone has made some wonderful suggestions in here and I know once you call a family meeting, there should be no more misunderstandings between the nurses and Rhys's well-being. They better think twice before crossing you, that's for sure!!
I'm Olivia's dad, Ryan. I felt like i had to comment, even though my wife commented earlier. I remember have a few nurses that I felt did not have my childrens best interests at heart. I remember the internal struggle that always took place when one of the nurses would do something I did not agree with at all. Do you say something to the nurse? or to the nurses manager? If you do say something, are you putting your baby in danger?... After all, these are the people that are watching your baby and taking care of them...what if they hold a grudge against you and willfully neglect your baby?... Do you not say anything to anyone and let the behavior continue? It was always a struggle for me.
There were two occasions where I actually spoke up. Once to the nurse taking care of our baby and once the nursing manager about a seperate nurse (this is the time that I stated we NEVER wanted that nurse to care for our baby again). The nursing manager absolutely understood and reassured us that it is best for everyone involved to be comfortable with one another.
I feel for you. I'm sure that you will make the right decision for YOU and for RHYS. Good luck!
- Ryan
(P.S. I don't want to give you the wrong idea. Most of our nurses were excellent. There were a very few that we had problems with.)
It's very frustrating dealing with hospital staff because it's a fine line to walk and you feel helpless. Ask to speak with the Charge Nurse, if that doesn't work ask for a Patient Advocate. Hang in there.
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