Re: Was I too pushy?
Heck no you were not out of line or pushy at all! If you are a medical representitive of your father, or if he is he could insist and request evaluation by an MD or at an ER and that falls into the patient rights act, and not giving such service at time of request is a violation of it!!!
Despite that, it is not ethical to say no to a patients request for an evaluation, even if it comes from a family member. Heck, I have sent in folks on family request to the ER over hemorrhoids...they didn't believe me that that was the case, and though perhaps they had a GI bleed...of course I was right, but best to let the family know that and know it 100% instead of being in doubt (which doubt turns to anger, distrust, and usually grows exponentially!).
One time the paramedics that arrived for one patient didn't feel that her fall was bad enough for transport (which is funny since they seem to send everyone in for CYA). However, thanks to a family member, she got in...was diagnosed with cancer with brain mets that was never found before...and was put on hospice to pass in peace when she got back! If it weren't for that family member insisting to back me up...she may not have been transported to an ER that was smart enough to find this probelm (obviously her PCP wasn't as smart to look).
I say listen to family carefully, and either do as requested within reason...or sit down and comprimise! This is also when I get my best teaching in!!!
So as far as the nurses you complained about, I feel they may have chosen to work with you better(I have done conference calls with the MD with family before...very helpful!), and reminding them of that like you did...is a-ok!
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