Code words

Nurses General Nursing

Published

...used during shift report.

High five = HIV

I'll even go as far as to say indigent is code for homeless because it's a euphemism passerby might not pick up on

What others?

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.
...used during shift report.

High five = HIV

I'll even go as far as to say indigent is code for homeless because it's a euphemism passerby might not pick up on

What others?

Um we are professionals, why do we need code words for things? As long as these diagnosises are being discussed in a professional matter-of-fact manner there should be no reason to make up words. Discretion does go without saying though

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

The average person doesn't know what "indigent" means?

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Code brown. Aka someone was incontinent of stool.

Personally I think that sounds absurd

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For us code brown means a patient had a massive blowout and we'll need another set of hands to get them clean. We don't use any code words in report.

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.
...used during shift report.

High five = HIV

I'll even go as far as to say indigent is code for homeless because it's a euphemism passerby might not pick up on

What others?

"Indigent" is not a euphemism at all. A "euphemism" is a substitution of a word for a another word with a different meaning. "Indigent" means destitute, poor and needy - and most "passerby" know what it means. You're not fooling anyone or using a "code word" for "homeless" by saying this.

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Um we are professionals, why do we need code words for things? As long as these diagnosises are being discussed in a professional matter-of-fact manner there should be no reason to make up words. Discretion does go without saying though

Because sometimes we can't give report in a private place and being that HIV status, for example, is protected information we don't want others to pick up on it.

"Indigent" is not a euphemism at all. A "euphemism" is a substitution of a word for a another word with a different meaning. "Indigent" means destitute, poor and needy - and most "passerby" know what it means. You're not fooling anyone or using a "code word" for "homeless" by saying this.

A euphemism is substituting a word with another word that is more vague or lighter in meaning. Indigent doesn't necessarily jump out as much as saying homeless. Look, these are my observations from working in a different region (and on a VIP floor) that I noticed suddenly was using THIS word instead of homeless.

I started this thread because I remembered they used a LOT of code words that I found amusing but I couldn't remember what they all were. Truly I believe it's so that the rich family members milling about wouldn't be too shocked or nosey about others' health information...which is a perfectly good reason to use code.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Everything you say in report is private as it's someone's medical information. If you're giving report in code, maybe you need to find a more private place to give report.

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I was going to list one code word we use to indicate a patient or visitor who is (for lack of better words) a pain in the butt. But non-nurses access this site and it won't be a "secret" code word anymore!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I was going to list one code word we use to indicate a patient or visitor who is (for lack of better words) a pain in the butt. But non-nurses access this site and it won't be a "secret" code word anymore!

^This...I have worked in places where pt's and families are around and get to know other patients, I remember using euphemisms or even "code" sometimes....not so much anymore.

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Everything you say in report is private as it's someone's medical information. If you're giving report in code, maybe you need to find a more private place to give report.

You're right. We'll go renovate the building right now.

That might be a bit extreme. We'll take turns in the supply closet instead.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
You're right. We'll go renovate the building right now.

That might be a bit extreme. We'll take turns in the supply closet instead.

They do have a point. You should not be giving report where non-staff can listen in.

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