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We saw a lot of products and equipment at the Conference this year. It was great to have everyone participating. This presentation was really a result of everyone working together and sharing with each other what works. When we started off the presentation we took a few minutes to think about how we evaluate products within the context of Christian Science. I used the recent revision of the Scope of Services as an outline for the presentation.
From Scope of Services: Choosing and using items that are "consistent with the theology and ethics of Christian Science" and at the same time support our demonstration of "God's tender care, ever-presence, and omnipotence" . . . as we faithfully and consistently acknowledge man's spiritual perfection;" we also talked about what we do not do: "Administer medication, drugs, or using medicated, herbal, or vitamin-based products and remedies . . . using & administering medically oriented techniques or technology."
As we reasoned together in product evaluation we cannot start without thinking about our motives in using differing products. In purifying our motives we asked ourselves the following questions with regard to each new product or piece of equipment. Here is the list we developed at the conference:
What is our Motive?
- Is it useful?
- Does it fulfill the need for comfort?
- Is it easy to remove?
- Will it last?
- What is the ease of availability and affordability?
- Is it simple to use and teach to others?
- Is it safe?
- What is in it? (ingredients)
- How much time to use it or is it time consuming to use?
- How many Christian Science nurses does it take to use the item?
- Is it unobtrusive?
- Is it meeting the need?
- Is it better than what we have?
- Is it supporting progress?
- Is it portable or does it need to be stored?
- Does it feel consistent with Christian Science practice?
1. Supporting the patient's spiritual growth
"Reading to or with an individual from the Bible, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures . . . and literature published by The Christian Science Publishing Society" (from Scope of Services)
- Traditionally cassettes, CD's/PA systems
- New I-Pod & I-Pad
 - Accessing church Services, Bible Lesson, Daily Lifts, Christian Science Lectures, etc. on the internet.
- Using technology to bring spiritual resources to the patient.
- Phone access to Bible Lesson, Sentinel Radio, and Daily Lift.
- Other examples of Inspirational Resources
2. Surroundings
"Maintaining an atmosphere that is conducive to spiritual healing and supportive of harmonious care" (Scope of Services)
When thinking about surroundings and atmosphere it is wise to consider the practical requirements of safety. For all of us it is important to give prayerful consideration to evacuating a patient. Several facilities in Europe shared with us a wonderful product that they are using for safe and easy evacuation of patients. Gone are the days of the "blanket drop" and wheeling the bed outside. The following product is particularly great if you need to evacuate a patient down stairs safely and using one person to do it. This would be great for larger facilities with multiple levels to evacuate when the elevators are shut down due to fire. How will you safely remove someone from a fire zone if your only choice is to get down the stairs? Its called the AlbacMat and the website describes it as a "safe and effective evacuation of frail or immobile people." You can see a demonstration by clicking this link: http://youtu.be/bvbsdp9GSjI
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Scoop Stretcher
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Another safety product that is popular right now with many facilities is the Scoop Stretcher. One of the websites describes the scoop stretcher as helping to "reduce risk
of further injury by immobilizing the patient . . . your best option for keepingpatients out of harm's way is to keep from rolling or lifting them onto a cot after an injury. Wrap the Scoop Stretcher around them to keep them safe and secure." You can see a demonstration on the web at: http://youtu.be/_t46Rr-c4OU (Be sure to go to Google and do a search to find additional examples and resources for the stretcher.)
3. Personal Care and Bathing
"Assisting with all necessary care to meet the needs of cleanliness and comfort" (Scope of Services)
- Shower Gurney: again to find a good deal on one of these items just "Google" it on the internet. I found one for as expensive as $4,900 or as inexpensive as $625 (on sale).
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Shower gurney
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- Sage Comfort Personal Cleansing Shampoo Cap can be purchased for as little as $2.95 ea. and features: (www.healthykin.com)
- The easiest way to clean hair
- Feels great - comforting, soothing and relaxing
- Replaces running water, shower and bottled rinse-free shampoos
- A simple way to make your loved ones look and feel better about their appearance
- Pre-moistened cap contains rinse-free shampoo and conditioner
- Dirt and oils absorbed into caps fabric lining
- Microwaveable for a warm, spa-like shampoo
- Posey - Lift & Turn Pad with Handles (Incontinence Pads) is a
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Posey - Lift & Turn Pad
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quilted, durable polyester laminated pad designed for liquid retention. This pad can absorb over four cups of fluid. Posey's lift pad has nylon handles to assist in turning or repositioning. Economical. Machine washable. This also serves as a mobility aid. (http://www.exmed.net/p-3335-posey-lift-turn-pad-with-handles.aspx) - Soft-Cotton-Towels (SCT's)
- Websites for Personal Care
4. Mobility
"Assisting with mobility including assisting with standing, walking, moving and settling with or without mobility aids or comfort items" (Scope of Services)
5. Nourishment
"Preparing and modifying food; assisting with feeding; giving appropriate encouragement to eat" (Scope of Services)
Nourishment, snacks, modified nourishment, etc., can be a particularly challenging area when thinking about how to meet patients' needs. It was brought out at the conference that one of the concerns patients and families have voiced is that at times we tend to fall back on prepared meals (aka "TV Dinners" in the US). Preparing nourishing and comforting meals for patients in their homes does not have to be difficult, and it is something all Christian Science nurses should have in their "toolbox". I recently saw a neat sticker that said "Love people, fix them tasty food".
I recently found www.bettycrocker.com website user friendly and easy to find meals to prepare. You can stipulate how long for preparation and cooking and come up with several selections that are easy to do. Here at Beacon Haven we have a five week rotation with many easy to prepare meals. We usually do a 10 -15 min prep and 30 min total for nourishing and tasty meals.
6. Cleansing / Bandaging
"Cleansing, covering and bandaging, to provide for cleanliness, protection, support, and comfort;" (Scope of Services).
Whether you are looking for innovative new products or prefer to keep it simple and stick with the "tried and true" there are many products available to meet a variety of patient needs.
- Cleansing
- Castile Soup - comes in all kinds of scents - just "Google" it.
- Tena Cream - Gentle alternative to soap and water. It cleanses, restores and protects delicate skin. Good for general cleansing and incontinence cleansing. Christian Science nurses have shared that this is great for patients who may have tightly closed hands or limbs that make soap and water cleansing with a wash cloth difficult.
- Skintegrity - Comes in a spray bottle and is designed to be sprayed on the affected area and has a low level of spray force that is designed to "remove" debris from the area. Some Christian Science nurses will place bottle in warm water to warm up the solution, others have sprayed the solution into a solution cup and used cotton balls to clean the open area.
- Others? If you have additional suggestions place these on our Community Board at ChristianScience.com (contact Caroleen Scholet if you are not already a member of this community for Christian Science nurses).
- Coverings & Bandages - There are two newer bandaging products on the market have to do with odor absorbency; unfortunately they can get pretty pricey
- CarboFlex Odor Control Dressing is a sterile, non-adhesive bandage that should be used as a secondary layer or a third layer in a bandage. It has some absorption properties but because it contains charcoal it really acts as a type of air filter. The thought behind its use is that odors can pass through the dressing and the charcoal will filter the odor. Because it is filled with charcoal it cannot be cut. I have found it on the internet in the following sizes: 4"x4" square ($10 ea), 6"x8" ($25 ea) and 3"x6" rectangles.
- Restore (odor-absorbent) has the same qualities and features as
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Restore
Odor-absorbent dressing
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Carboflex but is more economical. You can purchase a 10 pack of 4x4 dressings for about $43. Available at Hollister Wound Care. - Maxorb Extra AG Silver Alginate is a highly absorbent and interacts with drainage to form a gel. It is great for very
sensitive areas such as
facial dressings. It can be used directly on the wound. If a portion of the maxorb should stick to the wound it
 | Maxorb
Extra rope Alginate wound dressing |
will eventually dissolve without harm to the area. It is made from seaweed. Available at Medline Industries, Inc.
- Oils for Odor: Many of us are familiar with the concept of other scents in the room to cancel out odors. In the past we have used peppermint oil or cinnamon oil. Nil-odor was almost as bad as the actual odor. Hyacinth McLeod brought a wonderful alternative that is easy to use; fragrance oil in a bottle with a roller ball ($13.00). Similar to a roll-on deodorant www.higherscents.com
7. Technology
Don't be afraid to step out of the boat and use the internet to find what you need.
Just Google it!
Elizabeth serves as the Director of Christian Science Nursing at Beacon Haven in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area.
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