Code words

[Vespertinas]

...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?

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

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.

[ayla2004, ASN, RN]

I will say we are now forced to give bedside report in shared rooms there are some things i dont thinks a pt or vistor should hear butneed to be said. we do sometime pre post bedide handover let the other nurse know.

when i was a student on pt was handover as not for 2's and this puzzled me. it was explained that my region and all of england the interal crash/code phone number is 2222. however i perfer to say on handover if a pt is dnar and if a ceiling of care is in place and what that is . I do describe a pt who is playing staff off against each other and writing stuff down as "dangerous" as i feel they are.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

"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.

Also, one can be indigent and not be homeless.

[Daisy_08, BSN, RN]

There have been plenty of times where I know family is trying to listen to report, we whisper, turn our back, once even went into the bathroom. I cant say I have ever used or heard code words, but can see that a situation might come up where you need to.

I think the op was being lighthearted, lets try and keep perspective and not jump down her throat.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I don't see how HIV status is more protected than a cancer or asthma diagnosis.

Actually, diagnoses related to sexually transmitted disease, psych, or substance abuse are all protected under a separate category for privacy. When I need to get a patient signature for medical records to review on a case, my release has to specify that those are to be included. Since you mention it.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

We have a list of code colors for various hospital emergencies, the classic code blue everyone knows. If someone is dealing with an agitated patient or visitor a thumbs up and a smile from their nurse means to call security, or the police, or somebody, because things are going to get dirty very soon.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

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

Well with many institutions giving walking rounds report at the patients bedside..it makes it tough.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Actually, diagnoses related to sexually transmitted disease, psych, or substance abuse are all protected under a separate category for privacy. When I need to get a patient signature for medical records to review on a case, my release has to specify that those are to be included. Since you mention it.

True, but as far as the situation in the original post, she was referring to visitors walking by in which case they're no more entitled to know if someone has cancer or HIV. Should we create code words for those things too? Or should we be okay with violating HIPAA, but only if its a diagnosis we view as not embarrassing?

[eyesopen_mouthshut, CNA]

Unfortunately, in the cardiac stepdown I worked in, for about a 6 month period everyone on that floor contracted C. Dif, so when I reported to the nurse manager for my position for the night, she would say "you're going to c. dif"... that was the only real code-word, but it wasn't really code...

I've heard high-five for HIV, and code brown for a "blow out"...

But as far as giving report goes, we would go from room to room, and look at the chart with the previous nurse. You weren't allowed to leave until you gave report and rounded the rooms and checked the charts, it was also a time for the previous nurse to double check their work from the previous night, to make sure all meds/ I&O's/ bathing was done. I'm not sure if this is done at other institutions, but it's how we did them... the only way I know (for now, until NS starts in July!)

[Mully]

Internet threads and humor go together like a morbidly obese patient and an apple. They just don't mix.

OP I understand what you were trying to do here. It's just most of the world likes arguing more than laughing.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

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

At my job we do have a code for HIV. It is "1234". The reason being is for privacy. We are not allowed to say the word HIV while giving report or doing patient care because someone may over hear what the patients' diagnosis is.

I work in PP so many moms do not want the FOB to know they have HIV. I totally agree with you. I definitely have to get used to this.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

At my job we do have a code for HIV. It is "1234". The reason being is for privacy. We are not allowed to say the word HIV while giving report or doing patient care because someone may over hear what the patients' diagnosis is.

I work in PP so many moms do not want the FOB to know they have HIV. I totally agree with you. I definitely have to get used to this.

Ok, YIKES and super YIKES......I am in awe that someone with HIV would not let FOB know this. Isn't that illegal? I admire what you do. But how the heck do you deal with that mess?

And I know privacy, protected health information etc etc. That statement just shocked me, that's all. Bless you for what you do!!