Here's the senario: Super grateful patient gives his doctor $1000 and tells him, more or less, to spend it on the staff for the enrichment and enjoyment of their lives.
The doc ain't buying "lets buy a new pulse-ox". He really thinks we deserve something nice for ourselves.
Probably 40 RNs, 20-30 aides, 6 clerks on our floor.
I've got quite a few ideas... but nothing that really stands out as a great idea.
Take half of the money and give it to charity, get some new toys for the peds floor, help out less fortunate coworkers, whatever noble cause you want.
Then take the rest and treat the staff to something nice, like getting for the breakroom a better TV and a coffeepot that really works. Or all of you go out for a very fancy meal at a place you'd never dream of going to otherwise.
And don't feel bad about enjoying your half of the money either.
sorry to be a downer, but it crosses an ethical boundary for the MD to accept a gift and he/she knows it.
I agree. I have had patients offer me money, and I of course refused it. I think the doctor should. I do think it might be OK to say you may donate to X charity in my name or something like that.
Around here, you can't even get a manicure for $15. I'd rather see the whole 1K go to something charitable. I favor the Heifer project. Or a local soup kitchen. Something you know most of your money is actually going to the cause.
Adopt a family for the holidays and use the money to buy them groceries and items they need (clothes, school supplies, etc).
We all have $15, so I think its somewhat selfish to divide up the lump sum so everyone can have a few bucks. I also think that the hospital could have a problem if the "big wigs" found out about the money. So either give it back or give it to someone who truly needs it.
nice gesture from the pt, but how come the doctor can keep the money and if nurses get monetary gifts from patients, we are required to refuse it due to ethical grounds?
Nurses are hired by hospitals and doctors offices, nursing homes etc. The doctor is hired by the patient, and is most times a partner in his own clinic. So in essence tipping him is like tipping your hairstylist for a job well done.
How about floor treasure hunts? The doc buys the treasures hides them for all shifts and then during shifts, when not too busy, the staff are able to find the treasures! Make the treasures things that can be shared. Big boxes of candy. Boxes of new lotions. Maybe some fuzzy warm cute socks or something. Makes it fun and rewarding!
I think that patient is adorable!
I always bring candy with me when I'm in the hospital. The nurses love it!
I think applying it to a families bill, maybe the gentleman or his family, or a family in need. Can you imagine how it would feel to come to the doc and be told, your bill has been paid in full....Merry Christmas, espically when so many could use the help to pay medical bills. I know it is not as fun as a TV or a manicure...but hey just a thought.
I think applying it to a families bill, maybe the gentleman or his family, or a family in need. Can you imagine how it would feel to come to the doc and be told, your bill has been paid in full....Merry Christmas, espically when so many could use the help to pay medical bills. I know it is not as fun as a TV or a manicure...but hey just a thought.
I think that would be unethical. To give it back is one thing, but to take charges off the bill because the patient gave a monetary gift is favoritism (even if it is his money - it is not treating him like the other patients). To give it to another patient would also be extremely unethical. Ethics is about fairness - treating all the patients the same and not giving any of them special treatment. How can you say you are behaving in an ethical manner if you give a patient (no matter how needy) something that you don't give to the others?
I think that would be unethical. To give it back is one thing, but to take charges off the bill because the patient gave a monetary gift is favoritism (even if it is his money - it is not treating him like the other patients). To give it to another patient would also be extremely unethical. Ethics is about fairness - treating all the patients the same and not giving any of them special treatment. How can you say you are behaving in an ethical manner if you give a patient (no matter how needy) something that you don't give to the others?
While the gift was very generous, at $15.00 a piece there's really nothing worthwhile to be done with it. Either a gift everyone can use in the office like someone suggested a nice flat screen, but when will they watch it? or give the money to someone who really needs it. I don't like formal charities. Too much room for dishonesty.
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