Does a patient have the right to refuse to allow students to witness their procedure?

[Jo Dirt]

I ask because I am scheduled to be in L&D at 7am for an induction and the hospital is full of students right now and from two schools: a PN program and an ADN program.

I really do not like the idea of wide-eyed students looking at my big fat naked rear end spread out on a table. I know I was a student once but the feeling is a little different when you're the one under the microscope.

Can I refuse to allow the students to watch? I don't want to be difficult, I don't mind being visited while the labor progresses but when it's time for Jr. to crown I really want only the necessary people there.

[banditrn]

Mama - can't wait to hear how it went - and what you got!!:) My baby is 29 now.

I've watched two of my 11 grandbabies come out, and it was interesting. For just a second - as they're entering - I thought 'Good grief, is that thing HUMAN?!" But they turned out to be pretty cute.

[AimeeJo RN]

I am due june 30th to deliver at the hospital where I had clinicals exactly 1 year ago. So the nursing students from my old school are there now. I feel bad about deciding not to allow students in, but chances are I know these people. On top of them being in the room they may be able to have access to your chart if they are assigned to you, i am not too comfortable with that. There didn't seem to be any shortage of patients willing to let us observe when I was there for clinicals, even though it is a relatively small hospital.

[BabyRN2Be]

I've had to go to the ED twice since I've been pregnant (once for the insertion of a PICC line) and I actually read all the paperwork they have you sign in triage. I ALWAYS cross out the line that says "I give my consent to any photographs taken of my procedure." Years and years ago a doctor said that I had some rare GI disorder. I was young and dumb and although I probably signed the papers, I had learned from another GI doc that pictures of some type of procedure done were showing up at GI conferences at NY and San Francisco. I was a little freaked out.

Ironically, the alleged GI disorder has long since resolved and from what I understand, they are still using the slides.

Over the years I've willingly let students in to observe, however, with this birth in November, I do not want students in to observe. I do not want my birth to become a "spectator sport" as another PP has mentioned.

Congrats Motorcycle Mama! I hope everything goes well and that you have a wonderful birth! I'm sure that you will be happy when this is over. My very best to you. :)

[ylbourda]

I have to go along with widi96. of course you have the right to refuse, but having gone through nursing school yourself, you know that students need all the exposure that they can get to procedures that are performed. never know - they may learn something from your delivery that could make them pursue an ob postion someday and they could turn out to be wonderful ob nurse(s)! Good luck, whatever you decide to do. enjoy that new baby.

[S.N. Visit, BSN, RN]

Congrats! Just something to think about: on my OB clinical rotation I had a classmate who was refused to observe a vag delivery. The following night, the student who had been refused, went to work and was assigned to the pt as an LPN employed on the unit (LPN for numerous yrs.) Turns out the LPN/RN- student observed anyway!

[RedWeasel, RN]

yes you can

[RedWeasel, RN]

although you may be so busy you may not even notice some student in the corner watching, with all the other medical personnel there. Docs, nurses, RTs labs etc.

[EmmaG, RN]

One of my travel assignments was at MCV. My unit director told me that a patient could not refuse students (medical or nursing) because it is a teaching hospital, and the patients know this when they choose to come there for treatment.

Weird...

[HeartJulz]

Yes of course you have that right!!! And CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Yes you have the right to refuse healthcare students.

CAREEFULLY review the consent for treatment form handed to you. You can add an ADDENDUM stating " I do not want medical and nursing students be involved in my care."

Hopefully, they will respect your wishes....include that line as part of nursing assessment too.

:balloons: HAPPY BIRTHDAY :balloons:

Best wishes tomorrow...we'll all rooting for you.

[GilaRRT]

I agree, check the fine print. Many facilities have student exceptions in the fine print. I do not have a problem with students. I remember that somebody let me watch when I was a student. I remember having people watch me undergo a surgical procedure of a "sensitive" area a few years back. In addition, I knew and worked with these people. It's all A&P to me. However, I would respect the wishes of others.

[Jussurfin]

I agree, check the fine print. Many facilities have student exceptions in the fine print. I do not have a problem with students. I remember that somebody let me watch when I was a student. I remember having people watch me undergo a surgical procedure of a "sensitive" area a few years back. In addition, I knew and worked with these people. It's all A&P to me. However, I would respect the wishes of others.

I agree on both points. With regard to the second point, among many medical professionals there is an 'unwritten law' or 'commandment' that a medical professional who is a patient is obligated to have students present if and when such a situation(s) arise, i.e., do for others as others have done for you. Every learning opportunity, no matter how trivial it may seem, can be valuable to students. This 'law,' of course, does not apply to those patients who are non-medical professionals. But having said this, you are the patient and it is you who has the final say as to who will be taking care of you and / or observing your care.