Do you ever have patients that you know?

PedsER-RN, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2006

have you ever had to care for a patient in the ed that you knew in some way(personally, a friend, casual acquaintance, family member)? do you ask to be reassigned if you know them? is it okay/appropriate to take the assignment of a patient that you know? if you work in your hometown, i could see this come up pretty frequently.

yes, several times this has happened. at our hospital we're not supposed to care for family members, but while i was in ns my instructor did let me take my little bro. as part of my assignment.

i've cared for family friends, classmates' kids, and one of our docs' son. i've never asked to be reassigned, but i'll admit i usually prefer not to care for people that i know simply b/c it's harder for me to remain objective in those situations. it's especially hard when the family doesn't agree with the course of tx and you're caught in the middle. i think sometimes some people expect more or expect special tx if someone they know is working when they're there.

kat911 · Jul 5, 2006

Our hospital doesn't allow staff to care for family members. Caring for friends I have sometimes done. Depends on comfort level of both of us. Coded one of my docs one night, had just seen him a few days earlier. Strange seeing him there in that condition.

Aneroo, LPN · Jul 5, 2006

I have taken care of coworkers before. Haven't taken care of family, and I wouldn't.

Had a close friend bring in her daughter the other day for a arm fracture. She got IM morphine. I wouldn't have been able to be her nurse. I wouldn't want the child (6yrs old) to remember me as the nurse who gave her a shot that hurt, instead of her uncle's wife (they're that close, I just joined the circle in the last 2yrs).

allnurses Guide · Jul 5, 2006

I live in a small town - I know just about everyone who comes into the ER.

steph

TazziRN, RN · Jul 6, 2006

I have taken care of my dad and my daughter. My dad: I had the only open bed and was asked if I minded taking him, I said No. Daughter: she was in the ER, ended up being admitted. The one RN on at the time was swamped so I cathed my daughter. As for coworkers and others I know: I work in a rural ER so there's not much choice!

andhow5, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2006

I've taken care of my half-sister in the past. I didn't realize it was her until I gave the chart a quick glance before going into the room. I did tell my charge nurse and she asked if I wanted to switch a patient with another nurse, but we were super busy and I didn't want to uproot another nurse's flow...

So I told my charge nurse I'd take care of her, but would keep her up to date on what was going on to ensure things would stay above board.

I've also taken care of co-workers, co-worker's kids, friend's kids; and it all went OK. Those that know me well know that no one will receive preferential treatment, that in my mind EVERYONE is equal (unless their condition is truly emergent) and will receive their care based on the priority of their need.

Good luck with your situation!

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jul 6, 2006

When I have to care for a coworker I can't hit an IV for love nor money. Could be 14G veins, but I'll spear a 22G needle right through and wonder how it happened. I do one try now, if any, and let someone else take over.

The biggest issue for me is not meeting people I know in the ER, but meeting ER regulars at the local Walmart. They come right up and say hello, but the poor things may not have bathed in the past week, and our FF are not the people I want to strike up a friendship with, nor do I want an update on their aches and pains on my day off.

Lurksalot, BSN, RN · Jul 6, 2006

Very interesting! It remains to be seen how may people I will know at my work, hopefully none! hehe. :) I think I am still traumatized from having to give my aunt-in-law a bedbath when she ended up on my floor last summer, and then double the aggravation of my in-laws not knowing she was in the hospital and getting ticked off I did not tell them she was there! :uhoh3:

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Jul 6, 2006

In the interest of assuring patient confidentiality, I would probably ask to be reassigned. I don't want my neighbors or casual acquaintances wondering if private information was leaked by me.

allnurses Guide · Jul 6, 2006

In the interest of assuring patient confidentiality, I would probably ask to be reassigned. I don't want my neighbors or casual acquaintances wondering if private information was leaked by me.

That would be impossible for me as I know practically everyone who comes in our ER. And I'm the only nurse.

We have three beds with one gyn room (closet). I work with two EMT's II's or at times paramedics.

I too have people come up in public to talk about their medical issues - especially the new mom's and their babies. I just smile and nod and try really hard to remember them - it is kind of sad how only some of the patients stand out and you forget the rest.

steph

AmyD_RN · Jul 6, 2006

I am going to be working in an ER 40 minutes away so I am dearly hoping I don't run into anyone I know. I fear seeing my family in the ER!

AmyD RN