No more monkey's swingin' on the bed!

I spent half a lifetime working on the Pediatric unit at the local hospital.

The children on this unit are never critical but can be really sick.

One of my 2 year olds, (James T.) , had been there for several days and had just turned the corner from really sick to just sick. He had been a model patient, laying quietly in his crib, hooked up to his monitors and IV fluids , watching TV and playing with his cars. Parents are encouraged to stay at the child's bedside but this little boy had 5 siblings age 0-6  , and his mom wasn't able to stay with him. Still, he was pretty compliant and never tried to escape his crib with plastic extended sides and lid 4 feet above the mattress- pretty much a cage.

I used to make rounds frequently on the kids, especially those without parents bedside or in Isolation and James T. was no exception.

 James T. was within ear shot of my nursing station, in an Isolation room, but not in line of sight. I heard an unusual noise coming from his room. I went to check and he was laying there all smiles. Left, went back to the desk, and hear the noise again. Checking on James T., He is laying at the opposite side of the bed, IV line twisted. Straighten him out, chat with him and settle him down. After a few more minutes, the noise reoccurs. This time, I was just outside James' room and walk right in. Shocked to see him hanging on the upper bar of his crib, swinging on it like a trapeze artist, getting his feet planted firmly on the cribs side rail for leverage. He has almost worked his head through the plastic roof and ready to hang himself. Horror of horrors! He is still all smiles and pleased at his new found ability and the possibility of escape. Somehow, he found what little bounce was left in the old crib mattress.  He has been caught and now we need to find a safer solution for confinement.

I discussed James T. near escape and hanging with his physician. A plan was made. He got a room upgrade, a bedside playmate (volunteer) and plans for an early discharge. A happy ending for all of us.

No more monkeys swingin' on the bed!