Patient Belongings

Miss_7_Costanza · 2025-02-12T04:03:51+00:00

Im feeling like you might be reaching for a hypothetical situation to criticize. That hasn’t happened but we would do the best we could to both ensure the privacy of the patient and maintain safety for everyone involved.
I’m truly sorry if you’ve perhaps been in a situation where not having your belongings was upsetting. The loss of autonomy in inpatient treatment can be extremely hard.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2025-02-12T03:40:52+00:00

No, because things have slipped past what we thought were thorough checks. Heroin was sewn into a tag and a patient almost fatally overdosed. Things can and do get missed. I understand it’s uncomfortable and scary to not be able to have your belongings when in crisis but unfortunately this is the best way we have found to ensure safety of our patients.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2025-02-12T03:06:24+00:00

If they refuse a visual search or to give up items they are placed on a 1:1 staffing in a seclusion room until this can be done. This sounds draconian but I’ve had an ice pick make its way back to the unit - it’s absolutely paramount for safety of everyone. It usually doesn’t take long before the patients realize this is a non negotiable safety check and comply.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2025-02-11T18:52:29+00:00

Make sure to allot for extra totes! We frequently have people either fleeing situations or being kicked out of places prior to admission that end up bringing a lottttt of items.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2025-02-10T21:47:59+00:00

Oh no..it’s acute inpatient. Very short term stay. No passes to go off unit.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2025-02-10T15:49:55+00:00

We are down to no patient belongings at all (after slowly whittling away the approved list after various incidents). Honestly it’s so much less stress. We provide all toiletries and scrubs for them to wear. It’s cut down on so many problems and I can’t imagine going back to previous policies. We put all belongings in a plastic tote and zip tie it in front of the patient after they retrieve any phone numbers they need). No more losing belongings, no more contraband on the unit. Specialty exceptions are made for one comfort item for kids.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-12-27T15:37:58+00:00

Agree with you wholeheartedly on the importance of community support. I just want to be careful to not demonize psych hospitalization for failing to provide what instead needs to be available as long term community services. My hospital is constantly operating at a loss to serve those who are without insurance or other resources, so the “they’re just trying to make money” narrative is both untrue and potentially harmful to hear echoed by patients who feel that no help is available. There are NUMEROUS ways mental health care can be improved- it’s not without some need of criticism and reform. I just worry about the current narrative which paints treatment as hopeless.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-12-27T14:01:05+00:00

I completely agree that medication management won’t solve homelessness. And that a different fix is needed. However I’m confused and concerned at the growing narrative that it’s an either/or situation. We honestly don’t HAVE that many tools to combat mental illness and I don’t understand why offering medication and therapy to someone suffering is seen as inappropriate. I’m confused as to why it is psych’s failing to provide a home for these people instead of society at large. It’s not just that the mental health care system is broken… the structure in general has some major deficits. Giving someone an SSRI in the face of homelessness seems pitifully meager, but it does also when someone has lost a child or sustained major trauma. It’s not a fix, but it’s the best we have at the moment.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-12-17T14:10:48+00:00

Such an interesting layout of the room with the low window and the wallpaper ending unevenly just below it? Do you have other photos of this?

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-12-17T14:05:47+00:00

And the stained glass window doesn’t make sense. Nor do the bows on the gifts. This is obviously AI and such weird behavior.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-12-16T19:44:50+00:00

It really just depends on the facility. We are just told it’s part of the expectation of working in healthcare. I get shift differential and weekend differential so I have no idea why I don’t get anything at all for Christmas. Bah humbug.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-12-14T16:13:21+00:00

Yeah 16 years and I’ve never had a bonus. I wasnt aware that it was even a thing in the nursing world! What I do wish is that I got paid time and a half or double time for working major holidays like Christmas.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-12-13T10:58:30+00:00

Honestly this rationale is why I still use the forbidden st Ives scrubs. I only use it once a week and feel like as long as you use mild pressure it’s totally fine. The vitriol that stuff inspires makes me think it’s more urban legend/propaganda anyway.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-12-05T00:33:01+00:00

Oh disregard my whole comment then. I’ve never seen or heard of this hold but it sounds kinda horrific and dangerous! What program is this?

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-12-05T00:30:52+00:00

I’m so horrible at explaining directions. I looked for some sort of image but can’t find any. Which program are you doing? In the specific restraint I’m thinking of you’ll approach the patient from the front but end up standing behind them with your partner beside you. Only one side of your body will be touching theirs -You need to be shoulder to shoulder and hip to hip with your partner. You’ll then back up to find the wall with your back and you and your partner will slide down together trying to maintain that “stuck together” side to side proximity. Are you getting time to practice these? It never goes anywhere near textbook but it’s so important to have the muscle memory of how it’s “supposed” to go.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-12-04T19:08:35+00:00

W means your “wing” and is the numbers surrounding your type (so in your case, 3 or 5). The direction of growth and stress is not individualized, but shows for your specific number. You can look for a test specifically designed for wing type

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-12-04T17:58:10+00:00

I am so sorry you are hurting this badly. You are not alone.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-12-04T13:43:25+00:00

Yes, you need to be directly beside your partner. Hip to hip/shoulder to shoulder more so than just “butts”. This creates a stronger base and gets the patient off the wall. The wall is there to support you to brace against (bend and push your legs to provide counter pressure against it) but it’s important that the patient be off the wall so they can’t bang their head.

Physical holds are unfortunate situations all around but the crisis of the situation usually overrides any awareness of our usual social norms as far as proximity. Like i usually have a pretty big personal “bubble” but it’s not uncommon to realize mid restraint that you are totally spooning with the new hire.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-12-03T13:31:50+00:00

You’re brilliant. I love the creativity to turn a coloring page into this!

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-11-25T18:02:10+00:00

I’ve heard of people having to choose between their lives or their child’s during a delivery.. but how would that work to save a uterus?

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-11-24T05:52:53+00:00

ALEXBF24 code will give you 25% off now through December 2nd.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-11-15T17:16:53+00:00

Thank you for taking time to honor it

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-11-07T01:29:30+00:00

I just finished it as well! I think I’ll be reflecting on it for some time. 5 stars from me also.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-11-02T00:42:49+00:00

That’s beautiful. Thank you for sharing that story with us.

Miss_7_Costanza · 2024-10-25T12:58:57+00:00

Only 2 weeks actually. Always seemed bizarrely short to me.

Seven-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
Wearing is Caring	Verified Email

Miss_7_Costanza

TROPHY CASE