I screwed up!

[nankie]

The pt (47 yr old with twins) was an out-patient who came in for a routine non-stress test. Her friend was sitting in a chair in the room, near us. I was reviewing her history from her chart and mentioned her IVF. The pt glared at me, and I realized I spoke out of line, and tried to back peddle by saying, oh I must have confused you with another patient....and then nothing more was said.

But a few days later she called me up, very angrily, and told me I caused her tremendous distress, because she had not told her friend about the IVF. I felt awful and apologized profusely. She also reported it to my supervisor, who fortunately, was very sympathetic to me. Perhaps because I have worked there for 32 years, and have never had a patient complain about me before.

I guess I hadn't thought of it as highly sensitive information, because we see many IVF patients who generally bring it up freely. Also, if she allowed the friend to stay in the room with her during the test, I figured she was ok with her hearing what went on. Wrong!

So, just putting it out there, so no one else makes the same mistake I did!

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Did you ask the patient if her friend could stay for the test and the interview? If you did, and she said yes, then she gave consent for the friend to hear her medical information and you can't be held responsible.

[TickyRN]

Well, why would she have the friend in the room if parts of her history was not okay.

I dont think you were at fault.

[Birdbr]

I agree, you weren't at fault. If you don't want someone to know your medical information, you probably shouldn't have them in your room.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I think having the friend there was implied consent. I mean how high can the expectations go? Do we say nothing in front of the FOB because we don't know what they do and do not know?

It just gets ridiculous!

[DarkBluePhoenix]

Ridiculous, she needs to get off her to get off her high horse. She let her friend in the room, obviously she was going to hear everything.

geez, people these days...

Not your fault, dust it off, you'll be good!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

If you don't want your friend privy to your medical information.....don't take them into the exam roonm at your next appointment.....jeeze

[nankie]

Did you ask the patient if her friend could stay for the test and the interview? If you did, and she said yes, then she gave consent for the friend to hear her medical information and you can't be held responsible.

No, unfortunately, I did not explicitly ask...guess I just assumed if the patient didn't say anything, then it was ok with her that her friend remained in the room.

Thank you for all the supportive comments!

I feel better now, seeing that I am not the only one who saw the situation that way.

[DarkBluePhoenix]

No, unfortunately, I did not explicitly ask...guess I just assumed if the patient didn't say anything, then it was ok with her that her friend remained in the room.

Thank you for all the supportive comments!

I feel better now, seeing that I am not the only one who saw the situation that way.

People are going to say "well don't assume"

but this is pretty much common sense....which unfortunately isn't very common!

[purplesteth]

I agree with Esme... sounds to me like the patient realised SHE screwed up by letting her friend stay, without thinking the IVF might come up, and is projecting her anger on to you.

[systoly]

If the room was an area specifically designated for exam and care of the patient and the room was not accessible to any other non staff you had a duty to discuss hx. Also, when the patint was called to the room, I'm sure just the patient's name was called, not "Jane Dough and friend please"

[nurse.sandi]

I understand and sympathize with you. What I normally do is make it a habit to ask the patient if we can talk about anything that is going on with her in front of the person with her. You are still a caring person. Do not let this bring you down. Good luck.