- Email: [email protected]
Education works!
LETTERS
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tion evaluation and, ultimately, the prosthetic prescription. The latter involves input from the entire multidisciplinary team to be certain of the appropriate prescription. It is understandable that the scope of the article precludes an in-depth description of the entire pre- and postprosthetic management of the geriatric amputee. However, to have omitted the certified prosthetist's role in the team approach is not understandable and does the team concept a disservice. Our laboratory works closely with the nurse coordinator, physical therapist, physiatrist, and other team members to ensure the proper prosthetic management of the patient. We know our involvement, plus that of all other team members, is integral to the ultimate successful rehabilitation of the patient. In direct terms, we design, build, adjust, and maintain the prosthesis, and, as a result, we have continuous direct patient contact during the entire period that the patient is followed by the STAMP team. RICHARD MARC SAKOLS
Cert~ed Prosthetist Member of STAMP Team Hines VA Hospital Hines, IL Authors Helen Macie Osterman, RN, MS, and Michael S. Pinzur, MD, respond: "Amputation: Last Resort or New Beginning?" was not meant to focus on the action of the multidisciplinary S T A M P Team. It was intended to be an informative article about the geriatric amputee stressing concerns specifically related to nursing. The authors did not intentionally omit the role of the prosthetist in fitting the S T A T limbs and fabricating the preparatory prostheses. This technical step in the rehabilitation process was not addressed in the broad scope of this article. AN ONGOING DEBATE We would like to share with you our findings regarding the continuing discussion on dress codes in the JulyAug. and Sept.-Oct. 1987 issues of Geriatric Nursing. In June, we adopted a new dress 8 2 Geriatric Nursing March/April 1988
code stipulating white uniforms for the nursing department and caps for the licensed female members of our staff. The code was greeted with mumbling and grumbling by some, and others, believe it or not, were pleased to wear their caps once again. The positive response by our residents was overwhelming. Even the less-oriented residents made note of our new "image." The resident council discussed our new dress code several times during their meetings. And it appeared to make family members feel more confident about the care that their relatives were receiving. Our caps also provoked interest in the diversity of our educations and nursing experiences. It was mentioned (Sept.-Oct. 1987, "'What's in a Uniform?") that uniforms remind a resident that they are in an institution. We beg to disagree. We have created quite a homey, comfortable atmosphere in our facility. In our main dining room, a hostess greets and serves meals to residents, and, if residents wish, they can furnish their rooms with furniture from home. We have found that uniforms help both the alert and disoriented resident identify a nurse immediately, since the elderly still associate nurses with white uniforms and caps. With such a response from our residents, we will continue to maintain our dress code since they are the reason we are all working together at Ledgewood. MARION DOWD, RN, Supervisor EILEEN CONLEY, RN, DNS Ledgewood Nursing Care Center Beverly, MA INFO ON ALCOHOLICS' GROUPS I was distressed to read that the authors of the article, "'Coping with Relocation" (Sept.-Oct. 1987), identified Alanon as "the branch of AA for alcoholic's families." These groups are not affiliated with each other. Alanon would better be described as a "12-step" or self-help fellowship for friends and families of alcoholics, and AA has no "branches." Both have their main offices in New York City. For further information, their addresses are AA World Services,
468 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10016, (212) 686-1100; Alanon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., 1372 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, (212) 302-7240. RUTH C. JAGODZINSKI
Las Vegas, NV Author Kathleen S. King, RN, MS, responds: I think it is a common notion to associate the two organizations. Perhaps greater clarification about the two organizations is needed in the literature, but this was our understanding at the time. Even more important to clinicians is the knowledge that both provide excellent service and are models for self-help approaches. Both are fine referral sources for people struggling with the difficulties of alcoholism.
E D U C A T I O N WORKS! "Preparation of Geriatric Aides for Patient Care and Certification" in the May-June 1987 issue of GN was of particular interest to us in Saskatchewan, Canada. We have conducted a similar education program for our aides, with positive results. The formal evaluation of our onthe-job Special Care Aide Program in 1986 indicated that our graduates are more knowledgeable about the aging process, personal care skills, and philosophy of long-term care than they were previously. They are satisfied with the care teams with whom they work, and there is an improvement in the amount and quality of communication between team members and leaders. We also present an on-the-job home care training program and a community-college-based 71/2 month preemployment program. The latter prepares individuals to work in both home care and special care (nursing homes). Providing education for our "hands on" staff`reflects our beliefs that older people have worth and value. ANN GIESBRECHT, BScN
Program Head Home Care/Special Care Aide Program Kelsey Institute Box 1520 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan STK 3R5 Canada
Continued from page 75
tion evaluation and, ultimately, the prosthetic prescription. The latter involves input from the entire multidisciplinary team to be certain of the appropriate prescription. It is understandable that the scope of the article precludes an in-depth description of the entire pre- and postprosthetic management of the geriatric amputee. However, to have omitted the certified prosthetist's role in the team approach is not understandable and does the team concept a disservice. Our laboratory works closely with the nurse coordinator, physical therapist, physiatrist, and other team members to ensure the proper prosthetic management of the patient. We know our involvement, plus that of all other team members, is integral to the ultimate successful rehabilitation of the patient. In direct terms, we design, build, adjust, and maintain the prosthesis, and, as a result, we have continuous direct patient contact during the entire period that the patient is followed by the STAMP team. RICHARD MARC SAKOLS
Cert~ed Prosthetist Member of STAMP Team Hines VA Hospital Hines, IL Authors Helen Macie Osterman, RN, MS, and Michael S. Pinzur, MD, respond: "Amputation: Last Resort or New Beginning?" was not meant to focus on the action of the multidisciplinary S T A M P Team. It was intended to be an informative article about the geriatric amputee stressing concerns specifically related to nursing. The authors did not intentionally omit the role of the prosthetist in fitting the S T A T limbs and fabricating the preparatory prostheses. This technical step in the rehabilitation process was not addressed in the broad scope of this article. AN ONGOING DEBATE We would like to share with you our findings regarding the continuing discussion on dress codes in the JulyAug. and Sept.-Oct. 1987 issues of Geriatric Nursing. In June, we adopted a new dress 8 2 Geriatric Nursing March/April 1988
code stipulating white uniforms for the nursing department and caps for the licensed female members of our staff. The code was greeted with mumbling and grumbling by some, and others, believe it or not, were pleased to wear their caps once again. The positive response by our residents was overwhelming. Even the less-oriented residents made note of our new "image." The resident council discussed our new dress code several times during their meetings. And it appeared to make family members feel more confident about the care that their relatives were receiving. Our caps also provoked interest in the diversity of our educations and nursing experiences. It was mentioned (Sept.-Oct. 1987, "'What's in a Uniform?") that uniforms remind a resident that they are in an institution. We beg to disagree. We have created quite a homey, comfortable atmosphere in our facility. In our main dining room, a hostess greets and serves meals to residents, and, if residents wish, they can furnish their rooms with furniture from home. We have found that uniforms help both the alert and disoriented resident identify a nurse immediately, since the elderly still associate nurses with white uniforms and caps. With such a response from our residents, we will continue to maintain our dress code since they are the reason we are all working together at Ledgewood. MARION DOWD, RN, Supervisor EILEEN CONLEY, RN, DNS Ledgewood Nursing Care Center Beverly, MA INFO ON ALCOHOLICS' GROUPS I was distressed to read that the authors of the article, "'Coping with Relocation" (Sept.-Oct. 1987), identified Alanon as "the branch of AA for alcoholic's families." These groups are not affiliated with each other. Alanon would better be described as a "12-step" or self-help fellowship for friends and families of alcoholics, and AA has no "branches." Both have their main offices in New York City. For further information, their addresses are AA World Services,
468 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10016, (212) 686-1100; Alanon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., 1372 Broadway, New York, NY 10018, (212) 302-7240. RUTH C. JAGODZINSKI
Las Vegas, NV Author Kathleen S. King, RN, MS, responds: I think it is a common notion to associate the two organizations. Perhaps greater clarification about the two organizations is needed in the literature, but this was our understanding at the time. Even more important to clinicians is the knowledge that both provide excellent service and are models for self-help approaches. Both are fine referral sources for people struggling with the difficulties of alcoholism.
E D U C A T I O N WORKS! "Preparation of Geriatric Aides for Patient Care and Certification" in the May-June 1987 issue of GN was of particular interest to us in Saskatchewan, Canada. We have conducted a similar education program for our aides, with positive results. The formal evaluation of our onthe-job Special Care Aide Program in 1986 indicated that our graduates are more knowledgeable about the aging process, personal care skills, and philosophy of long-term care than they were previously. They are satisfied with the care teams with whom they work, and there is an improvement in the amount and quality of communication between team members and leaders. We also present an on-the-job home care training program and a community-college-based 71/2 month preemployment program. The latter prepares individuals to work in both home care and special care (nursing homes). Providing education for our "hands on" staff`reflects our beliefs that older people have worth and value. ANN GIESBRECHT, BScN
Program Head Home Care/Special Care Aide Program Kelsey Institute Box 1520 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan STK 3R5 Canada