Terri Schiavo's nurses

[smbrn]

Having read several credible journals about the type of care Ms Schiavo received at the direction of her husband, I have to wonder. Where were her nurses in all of this? I know a few brave souls have spoken out in sworn affidavits, but she must have been in contact with countless nursing professionals over the years. Two nurses' aides have signed affidavits saying that they secretly gave passive range of motion to Ms Schiavo. They did it in secret because they knew or suspected they would be fired if the husband, Ms Schiavo's legal guardian, found out. From whom did these aides get the instruction that Ms Schiavo was not to receive such basic care as that? It seems obvious from the photos of Schiavo that she was not properly cared for. She had horrible contractures. Another source reports that she had recently lost four teeth. These same nurses' aides said they were told they were not to brush the patient's teeth. Ms Schiavo also was confined to her room since 2000, I believe. Her husband forbade her family to let her listen to music on a CD player or bring her outside. (Well, they did bring the music in when she was dying). Ms Schiavo apparently had a bedsore. Are there no reporting requirements in Florida? Did Schiavo have a nursing care plan? Wouldn't any nurse who observed a patient to be developing severe contractures and a bedsore feel obligated to intervene and say something?

[nursinghumor]

Sounds a bit strange, these allegations of neglect and mistreatment. Even with adequate care, poor outcomes (bedsores, deterioration) can happen.

Formal complaints were made and investigations done into alleged abuse, and each time they did their investigation, they came up with nothing. If these nurses and aides knew there was abuse going on, why was it never documented when the state investigators came around?

Go figure.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com

[smbrn]

Actually the judge forbade the investigation of the allegations. The statements of the nurses and the nurses aides were in sworn affidavits. One need only look at the video of Ms Schiavo to see the gross contractures. There was a $1.2 million settlement of a malpractice suit set aside for her care. I disagree that "these things happen" if by that you mean it doesn't mean anything. We are required, when a patient is admitted from a long term care facility or other facility, to report evidence of neglect which includes contractures and bedsores.

[nursinghumor]

[ QUOTE ]
smbrn said:
Actually the judge forbade the investigation of the allegations. The statements of the nurses and the nurses aides were in sworn affidavits.

[/ QUOTE ]


Exactly which complaints (date-wise) are you referring to? If the matter was brought before a judge, it sounds like the proper authorities were notified.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.4nursing.com

[Cammer]

Back in the early 90's, before Schiavo was a household name, before I was an RN, I was a paramedic and worked for the Pinellas County ambulance service. I transported Terry Schiavo to a local hospital. I only provided care for her for a very short time, and I didn't realize who she was until a year or two had gone by and her plight hit the news. I then remembered her well, despite having cared for many other patients in the meantime. The reason that her case stuck in my mind was because I was incredibly impressed by the devotion that her husband had shown during the trip. Because it was a nonemergent situation we allowed him to ride in the patient compartment at his request. During the entire trip he held her hand and spoke with her. Upon arrival at the ER he continued to stay at her side and participate in her care.

This situation showed to me, more than anything else, how caring Michael was for Terry. I cannot see how that could change so radically as her parents would have us believe.