r/iddnursing

To preface , I am not saying that I believe ALL hospital nurses are this way. I am only referring to experiences with my local hospital system. Wondering if anyone else has noticed the same.

I work with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sometimes they develop acute illnesses that require hospitalization. As staffing allows, we make every effort to provide staff to accompany them at the hospital. However we get short staffed too and can’t always send someone to sit at the hospital. It’s very noticeable when we aren’t able to send our staff to the hospital. These individuals are usually nonverbal and sometimes immobile, which is communicated thru paperwork sent to hospital.
Upon discharge it’s not uncommon for us to get these individuals back with new pressure ulcers, visible plaque build up on the teeth, hair matting, strong smell of body odor, unshaven, and just entirely unkempt.
I have not worked as a nurse in the hospital so I try not to judge. I’m not expecting them to come back looking like they just left the spa, but they come back showing signs of neglect.
These people do not have the ability to express their needs or wants. it seems apparent that tooth brushing, hair combing, basic hygiene care is not being provided as a result of them being unable to express the need.

My question is this- do hospital nurses or techs not provide hygiene care unless it is asked for? What is like on your side? Any training for working with individuals with intellectual disabilities?

I try not to judge because I know what it’s like to be understaffed and overworked, but the conditions I’m seeing these people in are unacceptable

Hello! My son has a gtube that he will be getting removed. We have an excess amount of supply: feeding bags, extension, etc. Does anyone know of places in Indiana that take medical supplies donation? I would hate to throw it away when someone could use it.

So I am going in for surgery this coming Friday and having my iliostomy taken down and being reconnected to my colon.

I have a ton of left over extra supplies. Does anyone have any recs on what to do with them? Do you think the hospital ostomy team would accept them?

Has anyone here used weighted vests for osteoporosis or osteopenia?

I was reading about how weight-bearing exercise can help maintain bone density, and apparently some people use weighted vests while walking or doing normal daily activities to increase skeletal loading. It actually makes sense in theory since bones respond to stress/load over time.

I’m curious if anyone here has tried it personally or seen measurable improvement on DEXA scans from using one consistently. I’ve mostly seen it discussed for postmenopausal women and older adults, but I wonder if it could also help people with mobility limitations who can’t do higher-impact exercise safely.

Obviously not talking about throwing on a crazy amount of weight or replacing medical treatment, but more as an adjunct to walking/PT/strength training.

Would love to hear real-world experiences because there’s surprisingly not a ton of discussion about it outside research articles.

I  just had my reversal (Yay!) I got a huge amount of ostomy supply to donate 

I got close to 10 boxes of Coloplast Esteem Body one bag system, and then everything else from all brands, - belts, wipes, barrier rings, deodorant,  paste, etc. 

Located in NYC

Hey! Hopefully this is allowed. I’m a former tubie and this has led to me having a huge surplus of old formula (not expired) and wanted to give it to anyone in need. I have peptimen 1.5, compleat 1.5 and potentially kate farms 1.5 or kate farms peptide 1.5. All I would ask is help with shipping costs. Please let me know if anyone needs it/charities I can give it to! Thank you!