It's another day and another dollar around here and the fun just never ends.
A patient was making a long rant about Hipanics, African Americans and Native Americans. We have been instructed that we cannot leave this patient's room until all needs are met even if this patient is speaking like this.
In an effort to get this patient to see that we are all human, I shared with the patient that I was Jewish. We spoke for 5-10 minutes about my Jewish heritage, my family and how we celebrate and honor this Jewish background of mine.
Two days later I entered this patient's room and I was just a few mintues delayed in answering the call light.
This patient says to me, "I am going to send you to the Concentration Camps because you are too slow."
I WAS STUNNED.
So I said, "Excuse me? What did you just say???"
The patient repeated it just as clearly the second time; "Yes, I am going to send you to the Concentration Camps because you are too slow."
I did not respond. I was taught that comments like this are not worth responding to because the person is obiously a completely ignorant bigot. I just went to the bedside and started addressing the needs of this patient, adjusting bedding, empty catheter bag ect...and then excused myself from the room.
I reported this to my supervisors and they have done absolutely nothing. Their reply is that this patient has the RIGHT to say whatever she/he wants and we cannot dictate what this patient says.
I completely disagree and I think this is a horrific thing to say to anyone.
Comments and thoughts are appreciated.
This is a long-term patient and I will be interacting with this patient for weeks to come.
