Reasonable Rascal
07-29-01, 19:27
How well are you actually prepared for an interruption of basic medical services? Can you make do on your own for extended periods of time providing home care for an invalided member of the family or team? Can you address nutritional aspects by providing vitamins and mineral supplements, or for personal hygiene? Can you change dressings every day for a month, or two months?
I've had to find out the hard way. Pissing (is there a filter on this board?) in a coffee can works for guys (sorta) but how about the ladies? Ever thought about trying to give a bedbath without freezing the person in the process? It's a skill for sure. How about something as simple as Chux or incontinence pads for someone too sick to get up to use the facilities?
In a time when medical care is rationed or facilities are full and not available to non-critical cases you would find yourself in this predicament. A simple fractured leg can commit the patient to 3 months of limited mobility, with several weeks of bedrest at the start for lack of mobility and assistive appliances (wheelchair, crutches, commode, grab bars, etc). Even a good case of flu can low them low for days. The Spanish Flu Epidemic of the late 19-teens caused widespread deaths from lack of basic nursing care, i.e. positioning, anti-tussives (cough suppressants), disinfectants, basic respiratory care, etc. How many of us worry about anthrax and overlook the more common ailments that kill thousands of people every year.
What do you have, what are you lacking, how prepared is your team medic to deal with long term and not just emergent care?
RR
I've had to find out the hard way. Pissing (is there a filter on this board?) in a coffee can works for guys (sorta) but how about the ladies? Ever thought about trying to give a bedbath without freezing the person in the process? It's a skill for sure. How about something as simple as Chux or incontinence pads for someone too sick to get up to use the facilities?
In a time when medical care is rationed or facilities are full and not available to non-critical cases you would find yourself in this predicament. A simple fractured leg can commit the patient to 3 months of limited mobility, with several weeks of bedrest at the start for lack of mobility and assistive appliances (wheelchair, crutches, commode, grab bars, etc). Even a good case of flu can low them low for days. The Spanish Flu Epidemic of the late 19-teens caused widespread deaths from lack of basic nursing care, i.e. positioning, anti-tussives (cough suppressants), disinfectants, basic respiratory care, etc. How many of us worry about anthrax and overlook the more common ailments that kill thousands of people every year.
What do you have, what are you lacking, how prepared is your team medic to deal with long term and not just emergent care?
RR