Addressing a 'patient' or a 'client'?

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Hi everyone!

How do we refer a patient when we're talking to someone about them? As a 'client' or as a 'patient'? I mean, when we are talking to a fellow nurse or another healthcare member. :confused:

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Specializes in Infusion.

Patient.

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Patient.

/thread

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I've don't think ive ever used the word ''client'' verbally....maybe in an assignment..hope that helps :)

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It depends, your a patient if you are getting care(such as in a hospital) but a client if you are getting educated like when a health nurse comes to your home to give you information on newborn care, not that the child is sick but as a prevention. I would think it would be the same with some clinics too, such breast feeding or anti smoking.

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Specializes in ICU Surgical Trauma.

It depends on what health care setting you are in. Sometimes if you are doing mental health they may refer the 'patient' as the client or also in community health, home health. But hospitals (acute care) would be patient.

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

when i worked in mh, they were referred to as "clients."

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