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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Big changes in the nursing profession To the Editor: Her lantern flickered, his last breath was taken, the hand clenched in her's relaxed its degperate grip. In the quiet shadows of night a life had been relinquished. The cardiac monitor sounded its piercing alarm. Code Blue in 108! The room comes alive with activity. While intubating the patient, the doctor directs five orders to the various nurses and the technici in failing heart to battle. Another life has been relinquished but with a loud sounding fury. May 9 to 15 is Nurses Week and I hee been calléd upon to describe to you the changing role * of Nursing. Having graduated in 1970, I have already seen nursing in tgansition. Changes ranging from the training of nurses in a hospital School of Nursing to Colles S mechani to the ion izati and but also the machinery used to monitor their status. Individual patient 'Rights' have also taken a prominent place in medicine. Permission forms pggclude all procedures done and that ever lurking threat of legal retribution has led to a massive increase in documentation. Thus, increased time is spent with paper, rather than pdtients. Every aspect of life including dicine has been affected by the room. Seconds turn to minutes as unsuccessful " empts are made to coax a ¢ tion in. medi No longer is it just the patient we must observe and assess Hot in the kitchen From page ten all is good for each. The "Father knows best" concept of government is as outdated as Councillor Graham's use of the term "Swamp", a non-profit bog, as opposed to wetland, a valued resource, Old attitudes die hard. Only Councillor Dietlein, who himself came to public office out of an environmental issue, recognized that the questions raised by SCOPE have merit and deserve answers not' defenses. Surely the point of a public meeting is not to blow off steam, but to hear petitions presented in constructive process, a consultation not a confrontation. One, _ point in the enviroentalists' favour is that there will likely be an election before the case comes before the OMB. and if SCOPE can bring the same energy and commitment to the election process, it is likely they, along with growing support for environmental causes will bring to office people willing to consult for the public good. Tomi "our pressed economic times. The present political trend to save the ever dwindlifg medical dollar appears to decrease time in hospital and dye assistance out into the community enabling more people to remain in the home setting. Education centres manned by nurses keep diabetics abreast of the ever changing advances being made in this field. The diabetic now has the opportunity to be in control of his life and his diabetes thus drastically reducing the need for hospitalization. Hats off to these nurses whose long hours and intense dedication often go K a i More of us are g every day that it is the environment, not money, that is our most important legacy. Yours truly, a SCQPE supporter : Saundra Reiner-Moffatt Scugog Township . Major' changes in surgery such as Laparoscopy Cholecystectomy and Hysterectomy to name a few are now being widely used. These procedures which ence required a week or more of hospitalization now have Limited SINCE 196¢ UNDSAY WINDOWS & PATIO DOORS Ah ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS Reduce Drafts and Cogling in Summer. Allen's Siding * (. Products "~ Sales & Installation DOORS - WINDOWS - TROUGH - ADDITIONS SOLARIUMS (705) 328-1402 (705) 878-2023 Reach Industrial Park - Regional Road 8 (174 Mile East of No. 12) Increase Warmth in Winter and PORT PERRY (416) 985-3333 ' FREE ESTIMATES tients home in several days and returning to work much sooner, Preoperative teaching and laboratory work is now being done on a out-patient basis prior to surgery allowing the patient to come into the hospital the day of surgery rather than the evening before. Minor surgery once done,as an in-patient is now being * handled as out-patient' surgery. What this means is that the patient arrives the morning of surgery, has his operation, fully recovers and is FIRST CLASS JANITORIAL & CARPET CARE ® Fully Insure Jol.' :Telsle Te] ® Re CALL (416) 985-8642 LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM, HALLWAY ..... Includes Pre-Spray. Gentle Scrubbing. Di 9 and Double Steam Cleaning using Steamex Pro Steam Cleaner COMMERCIAL RATE (1000 sq. or more) : 15¢ per sq. We also do rvea Rugs and Vertical Blinds (Face Pickup & Delivery) NOTE : We pay tax (on cash only) ADD : $20.00 extra per room ADD : 90¢ extra per stair Sle =lsl{lel & Commercia I ull Sering Special $50.00 FABRIC woscion sise swale $10. OFF with this ad. then sent home all in one day without the actual admission to hospital. If it appears we are trying fo get you ing and limited nurse power, increased and - varied duties we desperately need family better, faster,-we are. Many nurses are leaving the hospital setting to work out in the community as visiting home nurses associated with the V.ON or St. Elizabeth's. hat was once done only in * the hospital is now being done . as daily events in peoples homes. These nursing duties to name only a few sange from drug administration, bathing, dressing changes and perhaps most precious¥ef all to those 'shut in' 8r living alone, the warm smile and caring touch that crosses their doorstep. Obstetrical nursing is also seeing changes. A 48 hour stay for moms is becoming the norm in many hospitals, and Midwifery is hoping to see in the near future home deliveries as a common, acceptable occurance. Again, due to limited available funds the nurse- patient ratio 'in hospitals is steadily declining and can only be expected to contin#in this n. Workinggfull time in the hospital setting it is this decliné that I pérsonally find the great change and chall to take a more active part in the hospital setting. The parent who can remain with their sick infant to help feed, bath and assist with certain treatments can lighten the workload while ensuring the security of parent contact. The feeding of a patient by family members during a visit, getting that extra cup of tea or glass of water, a soothing bath or back rub again lightens the load while reassuring the patient that family sfill wish to have an active part in their quality of life. The challenge is to feel comfortable in encouraging family members to. participate in care, when" possible and to encourage greater patient independence without that tremendous sense of guilt, that we have failed in our duty. Yet without this we will be spreading ourselves too thinly, a demise to ourselves as well as to our patients. The face of nursing is indeed changing, but behind each face is a person who genuinely cared for his, fellow man. The in nursing today. The era in which I trained produced nurses whose main objectiv] Was to anticipate and ful their patient's every need. The patient and his family never ventured into our territory, for this was ours alone. Now with hall of g is to keep an age old spirit alive "that of caring" for should it.die, an important part of humanity dies along with it. Mary Ross RN. Memorial Hospital, Port Perry. Studio Tour The 8th annual Victoria County Studio Tour will be held June 5 and 6 as 20 artists open their doors from 10 AM to 5 PM to welcome. the public and to help celebrate spring by sharing the results of their work over the winter. There are potters, weavers, painters, stained glass artisans and wood carvers, all willing to discuss their techniques with you. 4 Included on the tour is the Tamarack Studio and Gallery of Donna Griffin-Smith at 11811 Old Secugog Road, just south of Blackstock. You can join the tour there or in Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls or several other Kawartha communities. ' Tour maps are available at the Lindsay Gallery. For more information contact the Gallery at 705-324-1780 or Donna Griffin-Smith at 986- 4583. OVER 30. DIFFERENT CARPETS with more than 150 shades available for less than $10. per sq.yd. 14 0z. up to 28 oz. @PARA PAINTS & STAINS On Sale Just In Time for Your Deck and House Painting Projects this Weekend! 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