Getting to know your patients.

annister · Mar 2, 2011

We used to use something similar when I worked at an animal hospital. Since we had so many clients, many returning over years and years, it helped to jog our memories since we didn't tend to see the same person on a daily basis. I found it helpful in creating a friendly, comfortable atmosphere, as it's always nice to be treated as an individual as opposed to one of a hundred wallets being fed through a revolving door.

That being said, in an acute setting like ICU or the ER, I don't think it would be as similarly beneficial. I guess it could have it's uses, though. In contrast, places like outpatient HDY, infusion centers, MD offices and the like might find it handy.

sevensonnets · Mar 3, 2011

I agree with you Annister. Seems a little too animal hopital-ish to me. My ICU patients have more pressing issues like breathing or not bleeding to death and I don't really care how many cats they have. It might work better in peds or geriatrics. I did fill out something similar when I boarded my dog at the vet last summer. My favorite snack is------. I brought my-------with me. We listed her green bunny but they lost him anyway!

casi, ASN, RN · Mar 3, 2011

I like it. It helps give the sense that you are treating an actual person.

rockabye · Mar 3, 2011

We use one of those in our NICU, but only for the "chronic" babies who have been there for a few months. It helps the nurses care for those babies more consistently and how to keep them happy. Generally mom or a primary nurse for the baby fills it out. Has things like when nap time is, favorite toys, best way to comfort, etc.

tiroka03, LPN · Mar 3, 2011

I would like to know more about my patients on a LTC unit. I work nights, and I don't get to see family and friends. I see them asleep, and really don't have a clue who most of them were and what their interests are. I don't have the time to dig through the notes from social service. But, it almost seems like one more form we would have to fill out on admission. I think it would help if families would hang more pictures or place out notes to us on their tables or on pictures explaining things. It would be nice if people would encourge families to be more proactive in this manner.

steelydanfan · Mar 3, 2011

My friend's father was recently in another hospital's ICU and this hospital had a large sheet of paper with "fill in the blank" things, such as "My name is ______________. I like to be called ___________. People who mean the most to me are _____________________________. My pets name is _________________." etc.
Does anyone else's facility use things like this? If so, is it possible to share them with us? I'm interested in suggesting this for use on my unit.

We ALREADY KNOW THIS STUFF! We spend inordinate amounts of time dissecting who the pt. IS, what THEY want; family dynamics, the wishes of the pt. vs. those of the family, and who REALLY gets to make decisions. How many times do we have to repeat ourselves to clueless family members/friends and 'helpers"? If you really feel that this type of thing might be useful on your unit, then I would not want to work in it. It's a bandaid on bigger problems.

Old.Timer · Mar 3, 2011

I saw it a bit differently. In an effort to connect and/or reach patients who are not alert and oriented, many nurses continue to talk and communicate while providing patient care. I see this as an attempt to ensure that the communication is meaningful to the patient and thus, a little more likely to "reach" the patient and elicit a response or reaction.

MurrR · Mar 3, 2011

All of the cares and behavioral support plans at my job are based on a 15 page worksheet with questions like this that discuss, in depth, a person's life. From the daily to the monthly and the annual, from progress and setbacks to goals, likes and dislikes and what's important to them. It's how we determine the best way to support the individuals we work with.

But then, I work in a group home with 5 clients who are all developmentally disabled in some fashion. I'm not sure what use such a worksheet would have in a hospital where people - ideally - don't live there.

steelydanfan · Mar 3, 2011

I saw it a bit differently. In an effort to connect and/or reach patients who are not alert and oriented, many nurses continue to talk and communicate while providing patient care. I see this as an attempt to ensure that the communication is meaningful to the patient and thus, a little more likely to "reach" the patient and elicit a response or reaction.

This is what I already said. Is there not some way to explain to families that we are ALREADY aware and are QUITE willing to do these things?

I think nursing in general has taken a BIG hit if pt's and their famlies have to be oriented as to our basic function s. Do we have to stop people at the doorway to explain who does what? When? Why?

noctanol · Mar 3, 2011

We ALREADY KNOW THIS STUFF! We spend inordinate amounts of time dissecting who the pt. IS, what THEY want; family dynamics, the wishes of the pt. vs. those of the family, and who REALLY gets to make decisions. How many times do we have to repeat ourselves to clueless family members/friends and 'helpers"? If you really feel that this type of thing might be useful on your unit, then I would not want to work in it. It's a bandaid on bigger problems.

have to agree with the above statement, first five minutes with patient and you have all these info, in addition patients like to be called different names by different people. I've seen patients who are fine being called Sue by one nurse and frown when called that by another nurse. Use of formal name will never get you in trouble. "Hello, Susan, my name is so and so and ill be your nurse for today"

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2011

We have to do that stuff too and more. I think it is incredibly condescending and transparent to ask "who are the important people in your life". I tell them that I have a bunch of stupid questions to ask them and please bear with me, that seems to get me through to most people. I always skip the pet question though, it just makes we want to vomit. Do I really care about Schmoopy? No. And any person with a shred of human intelligence would wonder about my sanity for asking. Another example of vice president thought process gone amuck. If I am meeting the patient for the first time I think it is weird to know everything about them. I find it more socially comfortable to just ask them appropriate questions on first meeting than check the chart and "bone up" on their grandchildren's names. I must be old fashioned, I guess I should just check their Facebook page.