"VIP" Patients

[dopaminequeenRN]

OK, I know I'm not the only nurse who has encountered the "VIP" patient. You know the story...you get report on the new admit coming to your unit and you are told to take extra special care of this patient. This infuriates me to no end. It implies that I'm going to treat my patients differently based on social status. I don't know about you guys, but I treat all of my patients like VIP's. Am I being silly or are there others out there who feel this way?

[Dempather, RN]

I had a VIP patient on my floor a while ago. Apparently, his family was very well known in the large city I live in. Anyway, he came out at one point in the night because his call bell had been on and nobody answered in a timely manner. This would normally be fine, except that he was shrieking that he deserved better care because of who he was and who he knew. In which I replied, "I'm sorry this happened... but I treat every patient on the floor with the same amount of respect and care". To say the least, he wasn't happy hearing that I wasn't about to kneel down and kiss his feet. Screw that.

I don't know how some people can butter others up. I get nauseas whenever I try.

He hired a private RN at the bedside and everybody was happy. We got along better after that.

[EmmaG, RN]

OMG! Are there really such things as VIP floors? And do you get a major pay increase for working on them...LOL. Please tell me more, I'm curious!

On one of my travel assignments the hospital had a VIP floor. I never worked there, but was taken on a tour one night. When you walked through the double-doors, it was like stepping into a 5 star hotel. Unbelievably posh, and the rooms did NOT look like hospital rooms at all; everything was hidden behind the cabinets and walls. They even had gourmet meals (served on fine china with real silverware and crystal) whipped up in their own kitchen by their own special chef. The bathrooms had big fluffy towels and personal bathrobes. There were jacuzis, entertainment centers with DVD players and stereos, big screen TVs; each suite had an adjoining guest room for families and visitors (who were given the same perks as the patients) complete with a kitchenette and stocked frig.

The nurses were hand-picked for that unit, and each patient had their own private/primary nurse. Not sure if they were paid more, though.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

On the type of unit that Emmanuel Goldstein describes ...

It could work for, say, relatively minor post-op patients, etc. Better china & cutlery are fine for those who are able to use them, and those well enough to stand in the shower would certainly appreciate better towels & bathrobes.

But when you're really sick ... you need the same unattractive Foley bag, taped & secured ETT, O2 & suction tubing, and multiple monitor leads as anyone else.

Serious illness is the great equalizer.

[Riseupandnurse]

My dad was very sick this fall and had to leave his hometown for the ICU of a large hospital in another state. When he was transferred to a regular floor, he was surprised and thrilled to be in a "VIP room." This was on the basis of the fact that he was an 84-year-old retired general practitioner, even though he had never practiced in the town the hospital was in. Healthcare honored one of its own veterans. The interns and residents came by to hear about what it was like "back in the day" when medicine was young, and so was he. It was a really cool experience for everyone involved.

[BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN]

I worked at a hospital that had these rooms with hard wood floors, book shelves with glass cabinets, a flat screen TV and dimming lights. It used to embarrass me so much when (someone from my stock) a patient or family member would ask me "What do you have to do to get one of those rooms?" I wanted to say . . .

Its all in who you have to be!

[lckrn2pa]

Ugh, famous people....I'd rather have the drunk off the street covered in urine and feces. Couple travel nurse jobs done LA area had to deal with some.

[Candogirl]

I realize, upon reading these postings, that they were initially placed in 2008, but, after reading several negative comments, I feel that I must speak up regarding VIP patients. We all realize, I'm sure, that VIP patients are those that typically donate, what can be inordinate amounts of money, to the hospitals of their choice. Many hospitals depend upon the donations of these patrons in order to conduct research and build new or updated facilities. Being both an administrator and RN, I have to say that I see both sides. As nurses, we want to treat each patient fairly and afford them the best possible care, regardless of whether they are homeless or wealthy. However, taking care of a VIP patient involves much more. Some VIP patients, who experience subordinate care from an uncaring or overworked nurse, may be less than motivated to donate in the future. And, pledged donations can easily be withdrawn, if poor treatment is experienced. Many patients, who experience excellent service, may be more apt to donate in the future. Hospitals are businesses. And, let's face it, even though most nurses enjoy caring for patients and extend excellent care, sometimes we have our off days and I, myself, would prefer knowing a patient's VIP status just as I appreciate having a heads-up on a patient who is displaying behavior that may mean he's preparing for a complaint/lawsuit (we all know that if the patient or famiily member is writing down everything that's being done from admission to discharge, and taking names, it's a red flag.) So, if it's a VIP, I want to know. And, who knows, perhaps his/her donation is the very thing that helped build the unit at which I work. Treat every patient fairly and with the same excellent service you would always offer, but appreciate their contributions, as monetary donations help improve care for every patient, overall.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

"I treat all of my patients the same. They all get my best and quality care. Perhaps if VIP needs extra TLC they can bring a private duty staff"

VIP in my facility means that we take extra caution to ensure confidentiality and privacy--they are John/Jane Does, door is closed, sign on door that everyone needs to check in prior to visiting, that type of thing. Does NOT mean that the care/treatment is going to be any different or that I am a personal therapist/pillow fluffer/drink fetcher-----any more than any other patient needs.....