All Caring labor shares this

I think all forms of caring labor share this process to be truly humane and caring. Not the specifics, but the mental mindframe. This scenario is specific to the CNA job. What you will NOT hear in a CNA class or video with nice white ladies smiling and holding clean unsoiled bedpans.

What do you do when your resident's loose bowel movement or diarhoea spills all over the floor?

1) Is the resident in a safe position?
Call for help if you need assistance to transfer them into a safe position
Once resident is in safe position, resume the following

2) Don't panic. Turn away from the smell and take a deep breath. Your frame of mind is important for this to be a manageable task.

3) Ignore the call lights going off along the hall way. You can hear them beep and may feel stressed about the charge nurse running down the hall way to rush you. Your mind may also be unconsciously counting how many more residents you need to toilet before you clock out. For this moment, ignore that. Others can answer the call lights, or the residents can wait. None of that is your fault. You can deal with the consequences later.

4) Do not be stressed, do not rush, regardless of how many voices are going off in your head. Freeze those thoughts. Take your time,  Remember too that diarhoea is a human process. It is not the residents' fault that this happened. Do not take out your anger and stress on your resident. Assure the resident that everything is OK. Keep a smile on your face if possible, crack a joke or something.

If working with a coworker, also make sure you do not take out your stress on them. They are equally frustrated. Always make sure to speak respectfully and not let stress make you into the manager you all hate. Best achieved under the mantra of "Take Your Time. No Need to Rush."

5) Do you have all your supplies for cleaning up this mess?
- Virex: disinfectant
- Wipes (and if Maintenance hasnt stocked them up cos they are trying to save on supplies, then use washcloths), lots and lots of them
- Bags for bagging soiled linen and diapers
- Protective gear (and if management has made them inaccessible to save on supplies, then try wearing night gowns meant for residents. If that is unavailable, then do not use protective gear)

6) Rinse wash cloth throughly with soap. Clean up mess. Use disinfectant.
If anytime during this process, the charge nurse knocks on your door to hurry you, say "Sorry, not now. I will be there as soon as I can."

If it is your coworker knocking to ask you to help out with a transfer, say "I am busy now. Can you help me with this so I can be done faster and I can go to help you?"

When done, ask housekeeper to clean up again with mop.

7) Change diaper on resident. Put them to bed if they do not look well. Take their vital signs
Report loose Bowel Movement or diarhoea to charge nurse.

8) Open windows to the room and use hella air freshener

This happens on average 2-3 times a week. And if they have C Diff, then god bless you!!!