|
207 Winthrop Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511
April 9, 2001
New Haven Register
New Haven, CT 06511
Dear Editor:
This letter will explain how inadequate staffing affects patients
in nursing homes, and the multiple duties a nurse's assistant has
when working short.
It is very important to have adequate staffing in every nursing
home, because we are taking care of the mentally ill, the elderly,
and the frail and sick people. These are people who need continuing
care, lots of attention, and people who understand their needs.
On the morning shift we are assigned from 8-12 patients. Our assignment
consists of first taking temperatures, pulses, blood pressure, turning,
and positioning, and changing undergarment of residents who are
in bed every two hours. At breakfast time we set up trays, which
means opening containers and preparing residents to have their meals.
Feeding residents who are unable themselves can take as long as
30 minutes to one hour twice daily. We bathe, dress and groom those
who can not care for themselves. Some of these residents are confused,
combative and difficult to care for. We give mouth care, clean dentures,
shave and cut fingernails as necessary. We also exercise those who
cannot move their arms and legs and depend on us to do it.
We help walk these residents who are unable to walk by themselves.
We toilet patients every two hours. We make beds and keep patient
areas clean. We pass water pitchers to keep our residents hydrated.
We also have miscellaneous assignments: charting of patient care,
food taken for the day, fluids and bowel movements, turning and
positioning, cleaning patients' drawers and linen closets, cleaning
bath tubs and emptying dirty linen. These are duties we have to
perform daily.
Without proper staffing we are forced to spend less time giving
care to each resident. Because of the lack of time there are more
incidents of residents and aides getting injured. Staff members
are tired and overwhelmed. Residents are impatient and demanding.
This situation has gotten out of hand. Legislators needs to take
a serious look at the functioning of nursing homes, and make changes
in the staffing code.
Sincerely,
Paulett Jenkins
CNA, Atrium Plaza, New Haven
|
