Catheter Care

Catheterisation of patients is carried out mostly for the following reasons in terminal care:

• To relieve retention of urine
• A comatose patient
• To manage incontinence when no other means is practical

An indwelling urethral catheter is a foreign object to the body and therefor is may be associated with problems. Catheter care is aimed at optimizing patient comfort as well as limiting the complications of catherization.

General Care

Giving Medicines

There are 3 ‘rights’ always to be kept in mind when giving medicines:

RIGHT MEDICATION: RIGHT AMOUNT and RIGHT TIME
• Look at the label on the bottle or container
• Measure the amount correctly and put it into a small glass to prevent spills
• Medicines are given at regular times, before the effect of the previous dose wears off and before the symptom recurs

Patients experience a wide range of symptoms, some due to their disease, others caused by it treatment. Pain is one of the most distressing symptoms in palliative care, other distressing symptoms are:

Feeding, Mouth Care, Giving Medicines, Syringe Driver Care

Feeding

Food plays and important role in the care of your patient.

The diet may be full, light, soft or liquid depending on the condition of the patient.

A full diet is a normal diet.

A light diet is an easily digested diet avoiding indigestible foods.

Viz. cucumber, tough meats, fried and roasted foods and gas forming vegetables, e.g.

Cabbage, and very spicy foods.

A soft diet is a full or light diet, which has been mashed or minced to make chewing unnecessary.

Getting Patient in and Out of Bed, Chair and Car

Patient Antimicrobial Sitting Pillow

Helpless and weak patients may like to;

Sit out of bed in a chair or wheelchair

Get out of bed to use the commode

And need to get in and out of a car.

If your patient is not too tired, this may be an ideal time to walk him to the toilet.

Supported in a sitting position, the patient swings his legs over the side of the bed.

Positioning the Patient in bed

Adjustable Hospital bed

Dorsal recumbent:

Patient lies on his or her back with the head elevated by the back end of the hospital bed with one or two pillows.

Legs straight or knees lightly flexed with a supported pillow (Sage Health Solution Antimicrobial Wedge)

For complete relaxation and when carrying out some treatments.

Lateral:

Patient nursed on right or left side with one pillow or two pillows comfortably under the head.

Equipment and Accessories

Make the sick patient’s room as cheerful as possible. (With the assistance of SAGE HEALTH SOLUTIONS)

He may have to lie there all day, and boredom and despondency can soon settle in.

Avoid leaving him or her on his own for too long. Loneliness can be can be the most dressing aspect for the bedridden.

Place a table or similar near the bed for medicines, drinking water and perhaps a small bell he can ring if he needs attention, or a telephone. Give him a radio, or TV set, and a supply of newspapers, books or magazines.

The Bed

Prevention of Pressure Sore and Provision of Comfort

Hospital Bed with PVC covered Eggbox mattress

Pressure sores can be prevented with the exception of severe illness where the immune systems have broken down, for example, advanced cancer and AIDS.

Principles include:

Promotion of circulation especially by relieving pressure on, and massaging of pressure parts.

Pressure Care

Aim: To provide comfort and prevent pressure sores.

A pressure or bed sore is localised tissue damage caused by pressure to tissues devitalised by malnutrition and insensitivity.

Pressure reduces the blood supply to the soft tissue and skin in the areas.

Pressure parts: Pressure sores are inclined to form on pressure parts e.g. sacrum shoulder blades, spine, hips, heels, ankles, toes, elbows, ears.

Bed Bath of Patient

Patient Pack

During a bed bath the mouth and pressure parts are attended to; and soiled linen is changed.
(Sage Health Solution Patient Pack)

PURPOSE:

1) To cleanse the skin.

2) To freshen the patient, especially if he or she is hot and clammy. Also helps to reduce a raised temperature.

3) To soothe a restless patient and promote sleep.

4) To provide some diversion from a monotonous routine.

The Homecare Patient Pack

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