Today we had the first of five home health visits designed to help us learn how to care for Ernie's new equipment. We weren't sure what to expect but got a very pleasant surprise. According to the home health care nurse, the protocols we learned in the hospital are to insure a "sterile" environment. This involves gallons of bleach, saline solution, distilled water and boiled water, tons of cotton swabs and gauze and countless pairs of sterile gloves. The way we were going through these supplies, I was going to check into purchasing by the case.
Luckily, the nurse explained that at home there is not a real expectation of maintaining a sterile environment. Instead, our goal is a "safe" environment. We still need distilled water but in many cases bottled water or even tap water is fine. The cotton swabs and gauze have been replaced by a clean, white wash cloth and towel. Disposable gloves are fine but so is washing your hands.
This news was liberating. We could not imagine how one could travel--all these supplies would require a suitcase of their own. Also, without the need to organize all these supplies, we are saving a lot of time and effort. All in all, a good day.
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