Did I say the wrong thing?

[guest1200295]

A patient was in very critical, acute medical emergency situation, so the critical care team gathered in this patient's room to do their thing to try to help the patient. I'm in the area, not involved in the situation directly (but knowledgable enough about it to know that the team needs to be uninterruped) and I meet a visitor in the hallway, who wants to visit this patient. I tell the visitor (who didn't appear to be family), "hmm, they (implying staff) are working with him now, so if you could wait, and I'll tell a staffer you're here, and they can come and get you when you may go in." The visitor asked about the patient's condition, and I said, "I'm sorry, I'm unable to share that with you" (or words to that effect). Later, I thought, oh man, was the phrase, 'they are working with him' implying anything specific? Did I betray any confidentiality by saying that? Or could it be a general phrase? 

[chare]

I think this was fine.

[guest1200295]

chare said:

I think this was fine.

thank you. I'm now doubting myself, wondering if I said, "working on him" -- I hope not ...

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Relax, either phrase is OK as non-specific wording, what one would expect when someone is hospitalized-- medical staff working to help friend/family member.

[guest1200295]

NRSKarenRN said:

Relax, either phrase is OK as non-specific wording, what one would expect when someone is hospitalized-- medical staff working to help friend/family member.

great relief, thanks!!

[guest1200295]

Hopefulone said:

great relief, thanks!!

 

NRSKarenRN said:

Relax, either phrase is OK as non-specific wording, what one would expect when someone is hospitalized-- medical staff working to help friend/family member.

I was also worried because I'd asked the visitor if they were looking for the family (I knew the fam had been around), and later freaked out, thinking, "Why'd I say that? That sounds suspiciously like the patient isn't doing well and the visitor might want to talk to family..." and realize, well, that doesn't mean much either :). ... Deep breath. 

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Stop overthinking situation.  Take a deep breath, exhale slowly, take a deep breath, exhale slowly-- rinse and repeat till you can drift to sleep tonight.

[Lynker, LPN]

You did totally fine. It's totally normal to feel worried about what you say, especially if you don't meet that specific situation much. You did great, and next time you'll know even more!