| Popis: |
This chapter discusses the type of work caregivers do. Among the medical procedures that caregivers do that are mentioned in the chapter are: intravenous therapies (IVs), total parenteral nutrition (TPN), gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes) and nasogastric tubes (NG-tubes), urinary catheters, external catheters, intermittent catheters, wound care, ostomy, bowel management programs, respiratory procedures, tracheostomy, and positive-pressure ventilators. The chapter discusses caregiver insights and the dilemmas they face in having to provide skilled care. In general, many of the medical procedures are not only difficult to master but also cause trepidation because of the possible complications that can result if the caregiver makes a mistake. Several caregivers who gave IVs said they worried about contaminating the IV site or shooting air in the line. In hospitals, problems with medication administration are a leading cause of death, and so are infections that occur when a wound is not correctly dressed or an IV carefully accessed. Yet family caregivers are asked to do these activities on a routine basis — over a period of months or even years. The worry about complications is well founded, as they can have deleterious consequences. Coupled with issues of anxiety and fear of causing harm to the care recipient are issues of manual dexterity and “getting the feel” of the procedures. Not only do caregivers have to overcome fear, get the feel of procedures, and make sure they are done correctly, but they also have to get past the personal discomfort they may have regarding the intimate nature of the work they are asked to do. |
