nurses/docs/anyone-help needed re my dad and hospital

[jollymum]

My Dad's going into hospital tomorrow, 2nd time ever in his life.He's nearly 79 BTW. Ist time was in October, went into BUPA hospital just like a hotel, room service etc. Going in for prostate op this time in a NHS place. I had all my babies there and TBH it was grubby. No money for proper cleaning, but the cleaning ladies were lovely. Spent ages cuddling all my babes! Dad was cracking up a bit before, but hospital tippd him over the edge. He was sooooo scared, and went virtually into a veggie state, couldn't remember stuff, times days etc. Cutting a long story short, he's now on anti-physcotic drugs and I am so scared that he will go under with the NHS. I have loads of nurse friends but they're all at work and I need help. I am scared he's going to get something like MRSA, etc. What, if anything, not on the list should he take in with him? He's been told to take baby wipes, WHY? I would send him in with anti-bacterial stuff but TBH he might regress and wipe his bum with them . Visiting times are crappy too, 2.30-3.30 and 6.30-8. Can't go in the afternoon 'cos of school and he's used to us popping in and out all day from his last hospital stay, where visiting wasn't so restrictive. Oh well, any tips gratefully received {and large donations of wine..)

[Smurfgirl]

I read they were cutting visiting times because of MRSA not sure why, it was in nursing times.

I am not a nurse, but the people I work with who do have MRSA we always wear gloves with, and plastic aprons, but I am sure nurses would do that anyway. Lots of handwashing I suppose. Sorry this is not very helpful.

I also think that hospitals can make elderly people more confused, very frustrating!

I hope he is ok x

[RTKangaMummy]

Jollymum

my dad was in hospital years ago and had hip replacement and got MRSA

Had to have it taken out again, year later had another put in.

Anyway he survived it

Now years later he is still fine,

So just to let you know you can survive it

Sending you and you dad cyberhugs {{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}

[Potty1]

jollymum - my mum is going in in Feb for a hip replacement.....she's much more worried about MRSA than the op itself. Thankfully, due to the NHS targets she's been transferred to the care of the local BUPA hospital as she's been waiting for so long.

Anit- bac wipes sound like a good idea, also tea tree oil to sprinkle in the shower area. Mostly I think that you need to vigilant that all the staff are washing hands or using hand antiseptic between patients......and speak up if they aren't. Although if your dad is struggling with his state of mind, he might not feel able to do this
Hope it goes OK

[jampots]

JM - - im sure he'll be just fine. Is he going into our local hosp by the TC? I cant really think of anything you need to send with him apart from salt in case he wants to take a bath. Cant remember why now but I was advised to take salt with me when I went into to have the children and I have to say the baths were filthy (different hosp though). May be worth taking in travel containers of cleaning stuff. I also have some dry soap which is antibacterial and has alcohol in it which you can have if you want to put your mind at rest. (it smells of berries though)

[bundle]

i thought it wasn't so much his cleanliness that was the issue with mrsa, the handwashing of staff between seeing people is the key

[doobydoo]

Handwashing is the key.You can get the antibac stuff that you squirt on to your hands between patients.It's not rocket science.I do not understand why medical staff find this hard to do.Ime it is the consultants/docs who are rather remiss in this area.
Good Luck.You could tell the staff that you and your dad are anxious and they may let you visit out of hours.xx

[jollymum]

MN's-thank you.He's already gone into "confused" and "agitatd" mode and he has to be in hospital for 7.30am tomorrow. Thanks againXXXXXX

[suedonim]

Hope it's all gone okay with your dad, JM. There's something in the news today about avoiding MRSA.

[RTKangaMummy]

how is he jollymum?