Best way to ask visitors to identify themselves

[shopaholicRN]

Hi everyone,

I'm just wondering how you all ask visitors to identify themselves. I've done the awkward "so is this your husband?" only to find out that it is not, so I've definitely learned my lesson there. I know it's not always important and I know the definition of family depends on what the patient's views are, but I like to know who is at the bedside for rounds and my charting. Usually I just say "are you a family member?" as it allows for an introduction, but if anyone has any other good methods to ask visitors to identify themselves, I'd love to hear them. Thanks in advance :)

[L♡vER]

If able I ask the patient to tell me who their visitors are. Otherwise I just ask the relation to the patient.

[vanilla bean]

I've inserted my foot in my mouth more than once by assuming what the relationship was between a visitor and a patient. Now I simply ask, "Are you a friend or a family member of (insert patient name here)?" I've been surprised by the answer to that question on more than one occasion and saved myself from further embarrassment, at least for that particular situation.

[NOADLS]

"Security clearance level 1. Identify yourself." *in monotonic voice*

You could get serious and implement security level 2 or 3 if necessary.

[elkpark]

I do the ol' classic, "Hello, I'm (elkpark) -- And you are?????"

[brownbook]

Similar to vanilla bean, I say "are you a friend or relative." Many foots in mouth have cemented that in my brain.

One time I looked at our patient information "face sheet" that listed the patient's father as being her ride home. So I said..."your father may come back after you're checked in"....no he wasn't her father, he was her husband...her father was going to come by later. They thought it was funny, I explained why I had said that. I told a co-worker what had happened, she immediately replied "that's what you get for reading."

[dudette10, MSN, RN]

My go-to line is, "How do you know [patient's name]?" which allows for friends and family members to answer.

[hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I]

Hi everyone,

I'm just wondering how you all ask visitors to identify themselves. I've done the awkward "so is this your husband?" only to find out that it is not, so I've definitely learned my lesson there. I know it's not always important and I know the definition of family depends on what the patient's views are, but I like to know who is at the bedside for rounds and my charting. Usually I just say "are you a family member?" as it allows for an introduction, but if anyone has any other good methods to ask visitors to identify themselves, I'd love to hear them. Thanks in advance :)

When I enter a room and their are people who don' know me I always start out with "Hello my name is hppy" Usually the person in the room will reciprocate in like fashion. If they don't and I have patient care of information for the patient I will ask the patient - is it ok if we discuss your case in front of visitors?"

Hppy

[bjhuds]

Anytime I've been a patient in the ER, and before anyone is allowed back with me, I'm always asked who is with me today. After I'm assessed and my person (usually my husband) is allowed to come back, then someone will always ask "And, who do we have here?" Of course this only works because I'm always able to answer their questions.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

I just ask, "What is your relationship to the patient". That allows them the freedom to say,friend relative,ex spouse or whatever they choose. I then go on from there once I know who is in the room.