i was just wondering why some of the health care professionals feel the need to baby our patients. on several occasions, i have heard other staff and even on this bb say that they had to talk their (adults who are mentally and medically competent are the ones included in this post only) pt into staying or talk thier pts into coming into the er in the first place!
in my experience, i have found that these "babyied" pt's are the ones who often become demanding, rude and well, just plain ignorant.
why do we as health care workers think we know better than the patients. yes, we may know more about health than the ones with no health education but these people are adults who when told once about their conditions are able to make an informed descion, not a "preformed descion".
i am tired of begging the preforming arts crowd to stay in my er for their own good. fine, if they think they know so much, let them leave. who cares? they are adults and i am tired of treating them like children. my 9 year old listens better than some of the adults that i have come into contact with over the years! some people are just down right rude and stupid.
i was wondering if anyone else felt like that and would like to vent!?!
I just had a pt the other night c/o epigastric pain and needed to have lab work done. Well she was one of those ones scared of needles and yes I did have to baby her. I told her let me have one stick and when she said yes and turned her head I put the needle in. Went ahead and put in a SL just incase she would need any meds. It took me about 10 minutes to try and convince her to let me stick her. One of my co-workers said on one of our "regulars" that all you have to do when she gets there is take a lab tray in and tell her you need to draw labs and she throws a fit and signs out AMA.
Oh Magikgirl, you dont know how much I agree with you!!! I used to try to talk patients into staying, telling them every argument in the book for why they shouldnt walk out.
Those days are gone, if they want to leave, sign on the line and show them the door. We are way too busy to try to convince someone that we know what is best for them when they wont listen anyway.
AND, I have also noticed our docs are doing the same thing. Making sure they do a complete CYA and then giving them the AMA form, sign and go!!
Oh Magikgirl, you dont know how much I agree with you!!! I used to try to talk patients into staying, telling them every argument in the book for why they shouldnt walk out.
Those days are gone, if they want to leave, sign on the line and show them the door. We are way too busy to try to convince someone that we know what is best for them when they wont listen anyway.
AND, I have also noticed our docs are doing the same thing. Making sure they do a complete CYA and then giving them the AMA form, sign and go!!
how true, how true! after all, i am not these pts mother! thank goodness!! how did our society become so needy? why have we allowed everyone else to do for us what we should be doing for ourselves?
well, it boggles my mind - well, that is kinda a cool place to be, boggled that is!:chuckle
I think it depends on the chief complaint. If the admission is significant (chest pain, etc) and the patient's concerns legitimate (uninsured, afraid they'll get fired, kids at home), then darned right I'm going to make every effort to explain why they should stay ... don't know if that's what you mean by "babying" though.
I am glad some of the patients are difficult. People have choices and have the right to refuse. I saw a physician and on the second visit he wanted to put me on BP medication he was abrupt and rude. I told him I would think about it. He had me get blood work drawn and when I showed up his office didn't have the information. I took the time to have this lab work drawn and I know the lab person sent it to them. Why should I the patient have to put up with this junk. I pay for my healthcare I expect them to be perfect and they aren't. It is a two way street.
When I worked in dialysis we had to make Drs appointment for thiese patients. I was always irked that I had to do this----no body does it for me and dialysis patients have hands, fingers and a voice to call. It was stupid but that was what the physician wanted done.
I think it depends on the chief complaint. If the admission is significant (chest pain, etc) and the patient's concerns legitimate (uninsured, afraid they'll get fired, kids at home), then darned right I'm going to make every effort to explain why they should stay ... don't know if that's what you mean by "babying" though.
explaining and educating is different from begging. the ligitimate complaint patients who just don't know about the disease are not the issue here.:)
There's a difference between "babying" and treating a patient with respect and professionalism. I would never considering babying anyone. My job is to educate my patient about their specific problem and instruct them on what is required in order to diagnose/treat. When a patient isn't inclined towards doing what they need to do in order to have the best outcome... I let them know the consequences of their decisions and what they can expect from that, along with what they might be able to expect if they follow through with the testing/treatments as directed... always sympathizing with them with regards to inconvenience, pain, discomfort, frustration, etc....
I don't, however, become defensive or take it personally if someone decides not to do what is or isn't in their best interest. That is NOT my job. And, while I realize you terrific nurses are merely venting your own frustrations at patients who are difficult, I feel the need to point out and remind you that this is part of our Profession... to deal with people of all types... of all personalities... and to do so with Professionalism and grace. Everyone responds differently to their hospitalization and it is our job to be aware of those differences and treat people with respect and compassion. We may FEEL like rolling our eyes at someone who is carrying on in a way we believe to be totally inappropriate for that situation... but our critical thinking skills should remind us that no one knows how they will behave in a particular situation unless they themselves are in it at that exact moment and time and circumstance.
Believe me, I share your frustrations over patients who don't comply, who let their fears overtake them to the point where they don't make good decisions, who rant and rave over treatments and procedures that they don't want performed because they are unpleasant. But please, don't feel that you need to "baby" them... when what you're actually doing is behaving in a professional manner in a setting YOU are familiar with, dealing with people who are quite often in a very threatening and UNfamiliar setting.
* do i have to get that needle? i don't like needles! (torodol injection)
* well, i don't care if i do need surgury. i am leaving because you won't feed me! (small bowel obstruction)
* why do i need an iv and blood? i don't need that, i only have a little chest pain. ( st elevations, educated pt until blue in the face, pt signed out!)
* i am scared of a pelvic exam! yes, i have had sex befor but that exam hurts. (weekly pid pt who has a very permiscuoius-sorry i can't spell- occupation)
* i don't want that tube, needle or test. i will eat. i want to leave because i don't want to wait. and the list goes on and on.
have we all heard these? this is a glimpse of what i am talking about. of course i would do my best to educate but i ain't begging! so, see ya. don't let the door hit you.........
My theory has always been to have them sign an AMA form along with the "consent to treat" form when they register. Then when they leave, it's already signed. -sigh-
My theory has always been to have them sign an AMA form along with the "consent to treat" form when they register. Then when they leave, it's already signed. -sigh-
Man...wish i would've thought of that!!!
:chuckle
I completely agree with you magikgirl, et.al.
Fgr8Out...lighten up!
We are all professional but that does not mean we need to beg!
And if someone comes in to the ED for help...then don't refuse it when it's offered!!! I am very willing to explain and teach pts. That is part of why i love being a nurse. But the people who come in and start to demand whatever they want to and refuse everything that will help...just because they can...can just move on down to another ED...perhaps yours!!
i was just wondering why some of the health care professionals feel the need to baby our patients. on several occasions, i have heard other staff and even on this bb say that they had to talk their (adults who are mentally and medically competent are the ones included in this post only) pt into staying or talk thier pts into coming into the er in the first place!
in my experience, i have found that these "babyied" pt's are the ones who often become demanding, rude and well, just plain ignorant.
why do we as health care workers think we know better than the patients. yes, we may know more about health than the ones with no health education but these people are adults who when told once about their conditions are able to make an informed descion, not a "preformed descion".
i am tired of begging the preforming arts crowd to stay in my er for their own good. fine, if they think they know so much, let them leave. who cares? they are adults and i am tired of treating them like children. my 9 year old listens better than some of the adults that i have come into contact with over the years! some people are just down right rude and stupid.
i was wondering if anyone else felt like that and would like to vent!?!
amen!! i have worked in the er 4 years and it didn't take me long to figure out that people love playing the "sick role". the really sick people don't complain. my favorite is "i thought this was an emergency room! my finger is cut! i should be seen immediately!!!" :rotfl:
i was just wondering why some of the health care professionals feel the need to baby our patients. on several occasions, i have heard other staff and even on this bb say that they had to talk their (adults who are mentally and medically competent are the ones included in this post only) pt into staying or talk thier pts into coming into the er in the first place! 
mercRN
26 Posts
I just had a pt the other night c/o epigastric pain and needed to have lab work done. Well she was one of those ones scared of needles and yes I did have to baby her. I told her let me have one stick and when she said yes and turned her head I put the needle in. Went ahead and put in a SL just incase she would need any meds. It took me about 10 minutes to try and convince her to let me stick her. One of my co-workers said on one of our "regulars" that all you have to do when she gets there is take a lab tray in and tell her you need to draw labs and she throws a fit and signs out AMA.