Conflict of Interest?

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Hello All!

For the past 2 weeks I have been taking care of a patient in particular whose family is totally involved in his care. They use homeopathic remedies, aromatherapy, infrared lights, and high frequency therapy to aid in his healing. The prognosis for this man was very poor, per western medicine, but with his daughter's persistence, he pulled though and has since been transferred to a rehab facility.

I attained such a positive rapport with this family that they called me their angel. They personally requested me to be their nurse every time I worked. They did not have the best of experiences with other staff as they were resistent to their Eastern medicine habits, and tried to take charge of a situation they knew nothing about.

Before the patient was discharged, one of the daughters asked for my telephone number and if I was on facbook - to keep in contact with me for personal reasons - not nursing. I am hesitant to oblige to her request because I feel it may cross some invisable nurisng law line. Am I right to think this? Is it unprofessional to be "friends" with a previous patient's family member?

Thanks for your input guys!

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There is no legal issue here, but be very careful. If this person reenters the hospital, and you have established a personal relationship with the family then you will be unable to care for this pt. It may be difficult to maintain a professional relationship.

If you have to think about it, and come here to ask, then you know the answer.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

If you have to think about it, and come here to ask, then you know the answer.

Ditto to the above. Something about the request has made you uncomfortable.

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If you feel uncomfortable about the situation, there is something deep down that does not feel right about it to you. I can tell you from personal experience, the more involved I become with a patient's family, the more likely they will "step all over" me in the end. I have yet to have a close, "positive" relationship that edged on the line between appropriate and inappropriate for professional boundaries.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Thanks for your responses everyone! I suppose I just needed to hear it from an objective party.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Try to understand what the goal and limits of the relationship would be. Being a nurse doesn't mean you can't be human, and perhaps friendship would continue the whoistic therapy the family seems to do so well. It sounds like it's been a learning opportunity so far, and that might continue. That's the best I can advise you. Best wishes however you decide.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
There is no legal issue here, but be very careful. If this person reenters the hospital, and you have established a personal relationship with the family then you will be unable to care for this pt. It may be difficult to maintain a professional relationship.

If you have to think about it, and come here to ask, then you know the answer.

I agree with this...it would probably be ok if the patient wouldn't come back, but since he might, I wouldn't.

I would also explain that to the family...that you enjoy caring for their father and that if you exchanged the information, you would have to step aside for professional reasons if he was readmitted.

Since they obviously care about him AND you....they will understand.

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I completely agree with the above post, and for those reasons I would politely decline her request to exchange personal info.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, EP,.

You could certainly ask the family to keep you updated by sending you letters through your employer. At some point if you felt comfortable down the road, you could address giving out your personal info,,, after you've had more time to feel out the situation and how it evolves after discharge.

A wonderful experience to have had!

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Specializes in floor to ICU.
I completely agree with the above post, and for those reasons I would politely decline her request to exchange personal info.

I think the friendly conversations would eventually lead to discussing the health issues of her father...which could cause conflict.

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