Clear communication is key!

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Monday was one of those days where I realized I am not always clear in my communication. I admitted a patient to the pre-op area who was scheduled to have a hernia repair. I have found that my male patients are the most apprehensive about having to remove all their clothing therefore, you have to be very explicit. I told him he had to remove all of his clothing and there was a gown and a blanket on the bed for him. I went to the other side of the curtain and told him I was going to ask him a few of the pre-op screening questions. Twice he asked me if he was supposed to remove ALL clothing. Finally, I said to him "Yes, you have to get down to your birthday suit; only what God gave you." Much to my surprise, when I walked around the curtain a few minutes later, there he was in his glory and nothing more: he sat on the edge of the stretcher, completely naked. His legs were crossed and he was reading a magazine. I quickly looked down on the floor and handed him the gown. I'm not sure who was more red faced, the patient or me! Later, I was laughing about it and so were my coworkers! 24 years and I still love my job.