Code words

...used during shift report.

High five = HIV

I'll even go as far as to say indigent is code for homeless because it's a euphemism passerby might not pick up on

What others?

Um we are professionals, why do we need code words for things? As long as these diagnosises are being discussed in a professional matter-of-fact manner there should be no reason to make up words. Discretion does go without saying though

The average person doesn't know what "indigent" means?

Code brown. Aka someone was incontinent of stool.

Personally I think that sounds absurd

For us code brown means a patient had a massive blowout and we'll need another set of hands to get them clean. We don't use any code words in report.

...used during shift report.

High five = HIV

I'll even go as far as to say indigent is code for homeless because it's a euphemism passerby might not pick up on

What others?

"Indigent" is not a euphemism at all. A "euphemism" is a substitution of a word for a another word with a different meaning. "Indigent" means destitute, poor and needy - and most "passerby" know what it means. You're not fooling anyone or using a "code word" for "homeless" by saying this.

Um we are professionals, why do we need code words for things? As long as these diagnosises are being discussed in a professional matter-of-fact manner there should be no reason to make up words. Discretion does go without saying though

Because sometimes we can't give report in a private place and being that HIV status, for example, is protected information we don't want others to pick up on it.

"Indigent" is not a euphemism at all. A "euphemism" is a substitution of a word for a another word with a different meaning. "Indigent" means destitute, poor and needy - and most "passerby" know what it means. You're not fooling anyone or using a "code word" for "homeless" by saying this.

A euphemism is substituting a word with another word that is more vague or lighter in meaning. Indigent doesn't necessarily jump out as much as saying homeless. Look, these are my observations from working in a different region (and on a VIP floor) that I noticed suddenly was using THIS word instead of homeless.

I started this thread because I remembered they used a LOT of code words that I found amusing but I couldn't remember what they all were. Truly I believe it's so that the rich family members milling about wouldn't be too shocked or nosey about others' health information...which is a perfectly good reason to use code.

Everything you say in report is private as it's someone's medical information. If you're giving report in code, maybe you need to find a more private place to give report.

I was going to list one code word we use to indicate a patient or visitor who is (for lack of better words) a pain in the butt. But non-nurses access this site and it won't be a "secret" code word anymore!

I was going to list one code word we use to indicate a patient or visitor who is (for lack of better words) a pain in the butt. But non-nurses access this site and it won't be a "secret" code word anymore!

^This...I have worked in places where pt's and families are around and get to know other patients, I remember using euphemisms or even "code" sometimes....not so much anymore.

Everything you say in report is private as it's someone's medical information. If you're giving report in code, maybe you need to find a more private place to give report.

You're right. We'll go renovate the building right now.

That might be a bit extreme. We'll take turns in the supply closet instead.

You're right. We'll go renovate the building right now.

That might be a bit extreme. We'll take turns in the supply closet instead.

They do have a point. You should not be giving report where non-staff can listen in.

You're right. We'll go renovate the building right now.

That might be a bit extreme. We'll take turns in the supply closet instead.

Don't you have a break room? Can't you just speak relatively quietly at the nurse's station? Perhaps if those truly aren't options you can limit visitors for a half hour twice a day to inside patient rooms and out of the halls? I don't see how HIV status is more protected than a cancer or asthma diagnosis and I think code words are unprofessional and leave too much room for things to get missed.