first name last name issue and drama

[The Bell Jar]

Ok, I had an instance happen where me and another nurse were in a patients room,and during transfer he got into a precarious position and was about to fall.

So we needed a third person to help lift while she stayed there supporting him. I ran to get another nurse. I found another one sitting at the nurses station,charting.

I said "Simon is going to fall.We need some help in here-she said "Who?" I said "Simon,he is about to fall." Then she said "Who?" again.This went back and forth because I though she couldnt hear me.Then I said,"Simon Green...He is about to fall." (I've used an alias)

She said,"Thats better.We use last names here,not first names its MR.GREEN."

I was just so shocked that this would be the importance over someone potentially falling. And I think 98% of the other staff call him Simon,because he SAID it was ok. He lives at my facility. In nursing school,they said it was ok to call someone by their first name if they said it was ok. Jeez. I am really mad that I got schooled in politeness when I am one of the most polite people I know and I was trying to HELP someone. :angryfire:angryfire:angryfire

[squeakykitty]

This is disturbing, that someone could get so caught up in nit-picking they ignore the fact that someone could get hurt because they're about to fall. She was obviously balking and dragging her feet. I don't think I'd be very polite after the second time I had to ask. :angryfire

I hope she gets a write up. Let us know what happens.

[jbp0529]

Think from now on you shouldn't address this person unless she calls you by your title in front of your name , since formality is so important.

[flightnurse2b, LPN]

i agree with everyone else... report her and file an incident report! it doesnt matter what you called the patient!! the important thing was keeping him off the floor and preventing any harm to both of you! she could have shook her finger at you after the crisis was over. some people are unbelieveable... let us know how everything turns out.

[smk1, LPN]

I'm bad with names, I use room numbers, otherwise if I remember the name I use the last name. I always address patients by their last names and titles, I'm old fashioned.

I understand this, but in the world of HIPAA, last names might not always be best if you are out in the halls where visitors and other patients can easily overhear. Just saying that an argument could be made for first names or last. In any case this was not the time or place to school the nurse/cna/student on this issue. What is more important and fall or debating when and where to use a first or last name?

[smk1, LPN]

I'm bad with names, I use room numbers, otherwise if I remember the name I use the last name. I always address patients by their last names and titles, I'm old fashioned.

I understand this, but in the world of HIPAA, last names might not always be best if you are out in the halls where visitors and other patients can easily overhear. Just saying that an argument could be made for first names or last. In any case this was not the time or place to school the nurse/cna/student on this issue. What is more important a fall or debating when and where to use a first or last name?

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I don't care what others call the patient, I'm just stating my own preferences. Of course it's ridiculous to bring up the issue in the middle of a crisis, doesn't that go without saying?

[Psqrd]

All that should have needed to have been said is "I need help, someone is about to fall"...I agree with everyone else, An idiot!

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

All that should have needed to have been said is "I need help, someone is about to fall"...I agree with everyone else, An idiot!

You took the words right out of my mouth!Who gives a crap about PC in that case, I use first names if they are younger than me, Ms/Mrs if elderly, and ask them if they are in between, I usually use room numbers when talking to others, since I find it much easier and our turnover is so fast,but WHO CARES, to each his own, I need help now-Period, end,write her up

[The Bell Jar]

I can't write this person up,as they are my superior. :uhoh21:

Also, I like the idea of now requesting that I be addressed as Mrs.The Bell Jar

[Indy, LPN, LVN]

Well, Nurse Bell Jar, you showed admirable restraint. "Getcha a$$ in here" is what I'd have said after the other person didn't get up on the first request.

See that way she could have a multitude of things to b!tch about, including my attitude, what I call people, what I said about her fat orifice, my language, and the poor patient falling down. :-) It might take her a while, sitting on her bum, to figure out which to write up first.

[jackson145]

It seems like the least capable people are always put in a supervisory role. They are always focusing on the least important things at the most inappropriate times. Sometimes I think administration puts them in charge so they can't screw up at the regular work. If she knew anything about patient care, she'd have known what the priority was for that situation.

[Psqrd]

I can't write this person up,as they are my superior. :uhoh21:

Also, I like the idea of now requesting that I be addressed as Mrs.The Bell Jar

I would still write up a page or two in statement form about what happen...just the facts. I'd give her a copy and her supervisor a copy, and stand back till the dust settles.

Just because they are a supervisor doesn't mean they can't be written up by a subordinate for inappropriate actions, or inactions in this case.

P