Have you ever taken care of a famous pt?

Nurses General Nursing

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Have you ever been assigned to take care of a movie star, singer, etc? I never have, but I know there has to be at least one of us here who has.

Specializes in ICU,ER.
:wakeneo: Oh for goodness sake----there is NO identifying info in that post or in the poster's profile.We don't even know what part of the country they are in.Please lighten up and have fun with the thread.....................

Actually, the mods did remove a post that was probably a violation, and that was the post being referred to. You just didn't see that one.

It's not a matter of "lightening up"....it's a matter of the law.

Specializes in Pediatrics.

Sorry for the long post, but DEFINATELY worth the read!

Here is a juicy story I'm sure the OP was hoping for! I was working on the unit of a famous person (FP). Her child was the one receiveing care. FP was not really famous at this time, but was REALLY, REALLY famous in the early 80's. Music scene, TV, stuff like that. Report from ICU was that the family was absolutely crazy (and they were!). They were also being catered to by the docs, which made things worse for us nurses!

1. Had their own mini fridge put in the room.

2. Had their nanny wash down the walls of the room with bleach water (actually, in a hospital, this doesn't sound like a bad idea).

3. Loved one of the nurses so much, that she offered her a job to be her child's private nanny, stating, "I'll match whatever you are making here." (was promptly and nicely turned down).

4, Nanny only spoke Spanish and would often stay in the room as the only care provider. It was a mid-west hospital, so most of the staff didn't speak Spanish, or very poorly at that. Getting an interpreter for every moment she was there was impossible, and they expected an interpreter for the ENTIRE TIME.

The dad (mildly famous, but only in certain circles) was really angry about this stating,"You mean this is XXXXXX, and you guys can't speak Spanish?!!"- Uh, not really and this isn't city XXXXXX, it's city YYYYY. City XXXXXX is about 5 hours to the north, and my guess is it would be the same problem there too!

5. Mom felt child should be on ABX (which was completely unneccessary). Had the home phone number of the attending and called him at home. You guessed it. New order for IV ABX immediately. Yay. :angryfire

5. THE BEST FOR LAST. When mom did manage to come see her child, she refused to let go of it. Would sit in the bed holding it the entire time and our care consisted of working around this. (Child not terminally ill, pretty common surgery for our hospital, and pt was doing very well) One PM, the mom asked for a bedpan (for HERSELF). She was unwilling to let go of her child long enough to go to the bathroom (which was 3 feet away). The nurse offered to hold the child for her, while Mom used the bathroom, but mom not happy with this. Nurse came to me asking if I think she should give mom the bedpan. I said, "absolutely not," offering to support her to anyone questioning the situation. But I had a feeling this nurse would probably do it anyway becasue she was new, and easily scared/intimidated by this mom.

Nurse gives Mom this bedpan. Mom uses it and then asks the nurse to wipe her @ss.

Very true and strange story.

Also took care of a congressman once (when I was a student). He made a big deal about how important it was he be a John Doe. Guy was senile. Very confused most of the time. Had conviced himself that he as "addicted to oxygen."

Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

I dont know whether to laugh with you or cry for you ..lol

Sorry for the long post, but DEFINATELY worth the read!

Here is a juicy story I'm sure the OP was hoping for! I was working on the unit of a famous person (FP). Her child was the one receiveing care. FP was not really famous at this time, but was REALLY, REALLY famous in the early 80's. Music scene, TV, stuff like that. Report from ICU was that the family was absolutely crazy (and they were!). They were also being catered to by the docs, which made things worse for us nurses!

1. Had their own mini fridge put in the room.

2. Had their nanny wash down the walls of the room with bleach water (actually, in a hospital, this doesn't sound like a bad idea).

3. Loved one of the nurses so much, that she offered her a job to be her child's private nanny, stating, "I'll match whatever you are making here." (was promptly and nicely turned down).

4, Nanny only spoke Spanish and would often stay in the room as the only care provider. It was a mid-west hospital, so most of the staff didn't speak Spanish, or very poorly at that. Getting an interpreter for every moment she was there was impossible, and they expected an interpreter for the ENTIRE TIME.

The dad (mildly famous, but only in certain circles) was really angry about this stating,"You mean this is XXXXXX, and you guys can't speak Spanish?!!"- Uh, not really and this isn't city XXXXXX, it's city YYYYY. City XXXXXX is about 5 hours to the north, and my guess is it would be the same problem there too!

5. Mom felt child should be on ABX (which was completely unneccessary). Had the home phone number of the attending and called him at home. You guessed it. New order for IV ABX immediately. Yay. :angryfire

5. THE BEST FOR LAST. When mom did manage to come see her child, she refused to let go of it. Would sit in the bed holding it the entire time and our care consisted of working around this. (Child not terminally ill, pretty common surgery for our hospital, and pt was doing very well) One PM, the mom asked for a bedpan (for HERSELF). She was unwilling to let go of her child long enough to go to the bathroom (which was 3 feet away). The nurse offered to hold the child for her, while Mom used the bathroom, but mom not happy with this. Nurse came to me asking if I think she should give mom the bedpan. I said, "absolutely not," offering to support her to anyone questioning the situation. But I had a feeling this nurse would probably do it anyway becasue she was new, and easily scared/intimidated by this mom.

Nurse gives Mom this bedpan. Mom uses it and then asks the nurse to wipe her @ss.

Very true and strange story.

Also took care of a congressman once (when I was a student). He made a big deal about how important it was he be a John Doe. Guy was senile. Very confused most of the time. Had conviced himself that he as "addicted to oxygen."

Specializes in floor to ICU.

Took care of the mother of a famous Rock and Roller. Of course, I acted very professional while in the room but when I would leave I would think "OMG! I was just speaking with _______!!!!!!" I sooooooo wanted an autograph, but didn't think it was appropriate.

A very, very, very, very old U.S. politician - who I prayed didn't die on my watch - and he didn't. Funny thing was, he had absolutely no entourage or fanfare - I expected press secretaries, aids, etc.

Oh yeah, he sure did like to flirt with the nurses. (Not to me since I'm a "male nurse").

(Mods, delete if you think this is a HIPAA violation - I don't think it is).

Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

Many years ago as a student I took care of the wife of a locally prominent lawyer. They knew most of the docs in town on a social basis so she had "consults" with everybody. This was back in the day when people could go in and stay in for just about anything.

This patient had a Foley so that she wouldn't have to use a bedpan. I took care of her for 2-3 days and did everything for her- Foley care, helped with her makeup, bed bath, etc. etc. She enjoyed having the attention of a student.

They decided to pull her Foley but she "couldn't go." So I went in the room to tell her that the doc had ordered it back in and that I or one of my fellow students would be putting it in.

"Oh no!" She said, with a smile. "I want a real nurse to do that."

What was I, her personal maid?

I went immediately to my instructor. Needless to say, she was not troubled with a student again.

Specializes in ortho/neuro/general surgery.

Yeah, once, he was in for HIPAA-titis...

we once had a "charlie's angel" at our hospital - no, i'm not going to disclose from which decade - and in as much as the word went around that she was a patient, everyone kept their distance and left her alone. i had to leave the room briefly, though, when i went into her room to introduce myself and she whined "doesn't anyone here want my autograph?"

Specializes in MedSurg.-Tele, Home health, LTC.

hahaha, i would love to talk about it, but because of hipaa, i have to keep my mouth shut on this one ;-):monkeydance:

Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

I have worked as a volunteer medic at outdoor events and concerts so I have met many famous people in the music and entertainment arena since I have all access for medical aide. I have worked on a few, helped with the staff of those people many times, and have had a few walk up to me and just say hi (I am in a special uniform that anounces me as a medic). Its a blast!

Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

the father of an actor[amazingly nice family] and a politician[weird family]

Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

Not really, but I have taken care of the aunt of a very very prominent political figure. I have also taken care of a somewhat prominent public figure from this area.

Interesting thread, I wish we could actually tell WHO we've taken care of. :)

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