[cotjockey]

The hospital I did my paramedic training in had little pictures of bumble bees all over the hospital. Every floor had an explaination that the bees were to remind people to "bee alert" that while they or their loved ones are in the hospital that they may see or hear things that should be considered confitential in nature. It went on to ask everyone to not talk about things they see or hear and to remember that if they were in the patient's situation, they would not want everyone to know their business. I don't know if it helped, but at least they were trying.

[new er nurse]

We've had a problem in our ER with this. Not only the patients in the hallways but family members of people in rooms. While they wait (test results, CT scans etc) they wander out into the hall. Some can tell you what complaints those around them have. They also direct family members of others in the direction they need to go (belly pain in that room, ear pain in that room). We try to discourage it but some patients especially older ones almost seem to enjoy what they see as concern for them. When patients are discharged they not only say goodby to us but others around them and wish everyone luck with their ailment.