Addressing patients by their first name...

[tytkhat]

...I was being shown the run down in the ER, and when the nurse with me came across our patient, a lovely 88 yo, she addressed her by her first name. I was mortified! I grew up addressing my elders as 'Sir', 'Ma'am', Mr. Soinso, etc. I would be sporting one heck of a nugget from whatever blunt object my grandmother wielded if I addressed otherwise. Apparently, this is how the patients are addressed...I asked...first name only. I am a tad uncomfortable with this (no, more than a tad). Also, the employee IDs show our first name only. It is weird for me. Has anyone else experienced this at their facility? How do you feel about addressing the patient by the first name only?

[DosmoRN]

Terms such as "Miss Jane" and "Mr. Bob" are very common in the South, as well. Although, this is uncommonly used on first meeting. I've never known a patient who reacted negatively to that, as it's almost a term of endearment.. However, oddly, you won't hear "Mrs. Suzie". An older married or widowed woman is more likely to be called "Mrs. Jackson", unless she requests to be called by her first name, which then may eventually become "Miss (or Miz) Suzie".

Those of my mother's generation, (born in the early 1900's),expected to be called "Mrs. Smith" as common courtesy and a sign of respect. I remember her chastizing a young physician for calling her "Marie" .... she was in her eighties then. I was raised to call adults Mr. or Mrs on first meeting, especially. I still, unconsciously, call physicians "Doctor" even though they may not like it. Yet, there is a practical side to this.. Doctors, R.N's, LPN's, NA's all look alike to some patients (esp. if they all wear scrubs).And, of course, many still expect to see a male, not a female, when introduced to their physician.

I've even had a patient who mistook a guy from housekeeping as his physician.

Don't know who was more embarrassed at the mistake...patient or maintenance man.

[DosmoRN]

I think it is a mistake to call mature patients by their first name. It's also a mistake to assume they don't mind (they may be just too polite to object.)

I remember my mother, at 88yrs old, chastising a young doctor for calling her "Marie". It was not a pretty sight.

It's a memory I always carry with me when meeting patients. Unless the pt. is a child, I often just ask what they like to be called.

[sandytoes]

In all my patient interactions I always start out with "hello Mrs. Jones". If she says "oh please, call me Sally" (which does happen, but only rarely) then I use first name. Otherwise they're always Mr. /Mrs. I feel that's more respectful. I also do believe there are regional differences. I was born and raised in the South, for what that's worth...

[Karou]

I know the ER is a different ball game from other areas but here is my experience on a med-surg unit in the south...

I almost always call my patients Mr. Last Name, Mrs. Last Name, or Ms. Last Name. I automatically call patients "sir" or "ma'am". My coworkers seem to usually call patients by their last name as well. I grew up being taught this is a sign of respect and is the polite way to address people. I am also younger than most of my patients and some of my coworkers, so I really feel more comfortable addressing people this way.

I actually struggle with remembering to call patients by their first name when they prefer it. It is not intentional, just automatic. I apologize to patients when this happens and they have always been understanding. Sometimes we joke about it. I do try to call someone by whatever they prefer.

It's strange, but when I was in the hospital I really preferred to be called my first name. Like I said I am young, and feel embarrassed someone when someone calls me by my last name. I am not married either. I don't mind "ma'am" because that's just polite where I come from. I also don't mind when patients call me "sweetie", "honey", or "dear", unless they are close to my age.

Anyway... That's just my experience.

[poppycat, ADN, BSN]

Most of the time when I've been a patient the nurses have called me Mrs. ***** when they first come in. I tell them to call me poppycat because Mrs. ***** is my mother-in-law.

I think it's more disrespectful to call patients honey, sweetie pie, and sugar than to call them by their first names. I had to laugh one time when my dad was in the hospital. The nurse came in and said, " How you doing today, sweetie?" . He looked at her and said "I didn't know we had that kind of relationship.".

If I have an adult patient (which is extremely rare!), I ask what they prefer to be called.