Can you believe this?

[LolaRN]

I understand the push for "customer satisfaction" but I think that the following situation is taking it too far. A few days ago we had a patient on the floor who was in constant pain. She had MS PCA, Ativan, Phenegran for her pain/anxiety/nausea. The doctor had ordered a bed alert put on her because she was so unsteady from this pain and the pain meds. Well, she was with it enough to insist on going outside to have a cigarette. We explained that #1 she would have to go out in a wheel chair and that no one could take her out at this time, we were all busy (imagine that). #2 she was a huge fall risk and couldn't hardly stand up without tipping to one side, so we didn't think that she was up to the trip #3 she had a MS PCA, which we don't really allow to just freely float outside of the building #4 her doctor DID NOT want her to leave. We babied her, gave her all the meds she could have, bent over backward to try to please her. But, she was adamant and we called the house supervisior to take care of the situation. Well, house went in to talk with patient. SHe comes out and says that one of us needs to stop taking care of the patients and take this woman out to smoke. NO surprise to anyone I'll bet. But, the story gets more interesting when we find out that the patient doesn't even have any cigarettes. So, the house supervisior buys some from a staff member. BUT, the patient wouldn't accept them because they weren't menthol. So, house calls everyone in the hospital that she knows smokes to find menthol cigarettes to buy. I was so mad that I couldn't even speak, except to say "we appreciate the support ) Her response was that this woman might write a letter to the editor or something. Isn't there a line between patient rights and doctor/nurses orders/knowledge? I guess now we have to give the patient whatever they want and we have to reinforce their bad habits/behavior. UUGH!

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

It's getting a little off the original topic, but I have more than once had patients who had an order for a glass of wine with their dinner tray, or later in the evening. We kept it locked in the Med refrigerator. It never had anything to do with detox, just 'the amenities of home' while in the hospital!

Savvy One

Good lord, what else did that facility do for patients---leave mints on the pillow??

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

It's getting a little off the original topic, but I have more than once had patients who had an order for a glass of wine with their dinner tray, or later in the evening. We kept it locked in the Med refrigerator. It never had anything to do with detox, just 'the amenities of home' while in the hospital!

Savvy One

Good lord, what else did that facility do for patients---leave mints on the pillow??

[nanseatx]

I absolutely cannot imagine such a situation. In no uncertain terms, I would have told the nursing supervisor that if she wanted this patient to engage in action that is detrimental to her health, she could assist her in it, I would not. Often patients in my ER ask for the same priviledge, but I tell them that unless they are capable of assisting themselves or have a family member present, it just isn't an option. I don't help my drug addicts get cocaine nor do I buy alcohol for my alcoholics.

[nanseatx]

I absolutely cannot imagine such a situation. In no uncertain terms, I would have told the nursing supervisor that if she wanted this patient to engage in action that is detrimental to her health, she could assist her in it, I would not. Often patients in my ER ask for the same priviledge, but I tell them that unless they are capable of assisting themselves or have a family member present, it just isn't an option. I don't help my drug addicts get cocaine nor do I buy alcohol for my alcoholics.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

sounds about right

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

sounds about right

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

I don't agree with ICU pts smoking. But, on a general floor, you have wasted an hour or more trying to convince someone of your beliefs, etc, while they could have gone, had a cig. and come back and in a lot better state of mind than getting more upset listening to why they can't, shouldn't and so on.

I don't lecture about the evils of smoking. I figure if you don't know by now, you've probably been living under a rock for the past thirty years. I don't mind if you smoke, but I won't take a patient out who can't go on their own. And if you're well enough as a hospital patient to go on your own to smoke, then you are well enough to be discharged. That's certainly the way insurance companies see it.

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

I don't agree with ICU pts smoking. But, on a general floor, you have wasted an hour or more trying to convince someone of your beliefs, etc, while they could have gone, had a cig. and come back and in a lot better state of mind than getting more upset listening to why they can't, shouldn't and so on.

I don't lecture about the evils of smoking. I figure if you don't know by now, you've probably been living under a rock for the past thirty years. I don't mind if you smoke, but I won't take a patient out who can't go on their own. And if you're well enough as a hospital patient to go on your own to smoke, then you are well enough to be discharged. That's certainly the way insurance companies see it.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Hope the wine was a good year.

Jeez lol.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Hope the wine was a good year.

Jeez lol.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I dont know about wine at all

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I dont know about wine at all