By Marci Glover


People, usually the elderly, when they are in the hospital for any length of time, need help from a number of professionals. The need for assistance in many things, not just medical, makes them vulnerable to their infirmities, even if only temporarily. This is the perfect time to hire a private duty nurse for assistance.

These nurses will come in handy during the hospital stay as they assist the registered nurses and all other medical staff stay on top of the patients condition. They can take the vital information, such as blood pressure, heart rate, measure the intake and out flow of liquids and document all for analysis. They can assist in administering many of the routine drugs as well.

The home is a much more scary place for a patient in need of this critical care because family members are not as prepared to perform the many tasks to keep them comfortable. The nurse will accomplish this and also train the family in how it is done. Most people have no idea how difficult it is to bathe someone who can not even be helped to the bathtub or shower.

The amount of college and training these nurses must have changes depending on the state in which they wish to work. The minimum is several courses, based on basic health knowledge, nursing and medical knowledge. The type of knowledge needed will have the basics and whatever specialty he or she will be working toward. Certification is necessary before attempting private or hospital practice can be undertaken.

Their duties will include the basics, which is everything that must be monitored for the patient. They will need to take a personal interest in the patient in order to be as effective as they can be. Many times, the patients demeanor is a better indication of what is going on than any tests administered and sent away for analysis. This is a prime benefit for the family as they continue to live their lives as normally as possible.

The professional you hire should have knowledge about a lot of different situations that will arise. The need for spinal injury or catastrophic injury care is all too real in these situations. Ventilators will need to be dealt with as well as insulin pumps and seizure control methods. These are all on this very short list of needed knowledge and skill sets.

The correct private nurse for your family member should be certified and come from a reputable agency. That agency should provide the back up to all of their nurses and references should be checked. The knowledge base of the particular nurse they will assign to your case should include all tasks that will be needed and recommended by your doctor. There should also be a willingness to feed the patient as well as any other personal chores you are unable to provide.

Getting this type of help for your family member is important. This is the case whether he or she is in a care facility, the hospital or at home. Checking with the insurance company for possible payment of this is important. However, no one can place a price on the peace of mind you will have when your loved one is taken care as well as possible.




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