kissing a pt/ resident

[Marti Ann]

A nurse openly (in front of staff and supervisors) greets some of his

elderly patients in a LTC setting with a kiss on the cheek stating this is a

way he shows compassion and caring. He denies any sexual implications.

patients refer to him as a gentleman. Is there any justification for these

Is it wrong/unethical?

Is this different with a female nurse?

What do you think?

[LPN1974, LPN]

I work in MR/DDS and alot of the people I help take care of want to hug alot.

But we are encouraged to not teach them to do hugging and we teach them that ADULTS do such things as shake hands, so when one reaches out to hug me, I politely extend my hand, and say something like, "Let's shake hands, ok? That's better for you and me. You hug your mother but WE will shake hands." And they accept it.

Alot of people feel that their space is being invaded by touching, hugging, kissing.

I'm that way alot. I don't want to be hugged and kissed by every person I meet.

That's getting too close and personal for me, with people I hardly know.

[Nurse Bob]

Got to be careful w/any form of physical contact. Some of us are comfortable with hugs or touches, for instance. Others see it as an invasion of their personal space, or even assault, in extreme cases. I usually ask for permission before touching anyone in any way, because some people really hate physical contact by others, especially those they don't know well.

I rarely ask permission to touch people. I work in the ER and listen to the lungs of every pt who comes in as part of my primary assesment, and it doesn't matter if they are in for a stubbed toe or chest pain. I often put my other hand on their shoulder while I'm doing it. If the are in for abdominal symptoms or trauma I palpate their abdomen, saved a few lives that I know of by being so disciplined about it even in seemingly insignificant cases. If they have come to us for assessment and treatment, they expect to be touched and when it is done in a professional manner it is reassuring. I am disappointed that some of my peers and some doctors "assess" the pt only through a brief Q&A session without ever touching them at all... Touch is essential to what we do. In 12 years I have never had any negative feedback for touching, but I have never kissed a pt. I do occasionally get hugs from pt's who appreciated the care they received, and rare kisses form old ladies.

[niiberto]

I,albert From Ghana,thinks That There Is Really Nothing Wrong With What The Male Nurse Did.he Did It Infront Of His Supervisor And Other Colleagues.so I Dont Think There Is Anything Wong With It.thank You.

[Patrick M6]

If you think about it, there are pros and cons to almost everything we do in nursing. I don't kiss my patients, but why not? I can see the infection control perspective, but in LTC, in my experience, there are not so many communicable diseases as there are things like dementia. If anyone has ever seen somone else "catch a dementia" from someone else, please let me know. Some of us have unorthodox "gimmicks" or techniques that work for us. For example, I like to get in good with dad before I do my assessments on my OB/GYN patients (not usually a problem for female nurses, but I don't want a fecal impaction r/t dad's boot). Finally, he's got his own license. You're not going to lose yours because he kissed a patient. Roll with it.

[Swedenboi6]

In so many way's it doesn't seem an issue, while in other's it does. When I went through CNA training we were taught to be very careful about our actions involving touch and affection. In fact, we were told no kissing or hugging. Now that I'm three years out of training and three years into nursing school, plus have had so much floor experience...I can say (on my own accord) that it doesn't matter.

I tend to give my residents more hugs then kisses (really only on special occasions). I am a very huggy person and really don't feel right unless I get a hug at least once a day! It's quite funny actually, whenever I report into work (I am one of only two males working at this facility in the NU department) I get hugs from all of my nursing friends and residents who I have become extremely close with.

I think you just have to read the individual and the situation. You can definitly tell if an individual does not want to be touched or anything like that.

This so closely relates to how a patient/resident/client should be addressed. Obviously upon first introduction they are by first or last name only. But what about those that address the patients as "honey", "darlin'", etc?

Just thought I'd stir it up a bit...hehe...