In my clinic, it's not uncommon for some patients to bring gifts when they come for their visit. A few even brought my OM and I baby presents. It's been the norm since I've been here.
Recently, though, we've had a couple that were...stringy?
One newer patient brought in some beautiful tomatoes and set them on our lab counter while I was drawing their blood. I remarked, "Oh, what gorgeous tomatoes!" , only to have the patient snatch up the bag, pin everyone there with a withering look and snap, "They're NOT for you!". Said patient proceeded to then hand me the bag, along with a sheaf of papers. The stack was a d/c summary if a friend, and would I give Doc the tomatoes, compliments of the patient, and also work the friend in ASAP?
Another happened in one day, and presented us with a clock...they noticed ours had stopped, they said. Oh, and could we pretty please bend clinic protocol and do just one eensy thing for them?
I know some hospitals and clinics have policies against gifts and such...but would love to hear ideas on this. How to prevent the bribery without insulting those that just bring things to be sweet?
I accept gifts for the most part. It's generally from families whose loved ones I've cared for at end of life, or occasionally when I've been there for a major crisis and helped them pull through it. Sometimes it's money, or chocolates, or gift cards. I accept them, not because I feel I'm entitled, but because I recognize that this is something they felt they needed to do. They want to thank me for whatever I may have done for them and this is how they chose to do so. Accepting their gifts is acknowledging their gratitude. I would not deny them that
However, something offered in the hopes that it would garner special favour would most certainly be turned down without question.
Gift vs. Bribe pretty much comes down to intent. If it's meant as a "thank you" for what you've done, it's a gift. If it's to get you to do something "extra," then it's a bribe. I'm happy to accept gifts. The people that do offer gifts understand that I don't, and won't, treat them any differently than any other person.Cash is OK... only in very small, token amounts. Same with other things: must be low value, token items. I'm very inflexible about that. It is all about allowing someone to express themselves in a healthy manner. It can be considered rude to not accept a gift. One other thing I'm extremely inflexible about is that never ask for "favors" or anything else like that. If you decide to give me a gift, it's all your decision. For me to ask, gift then becomes graft, and therefore I become corrupt.
Even when I'm accepting the gift, I make sure that I express to them that I appreciate the token of their gratitude, as a symbol of it, and that's why I'm accepting it, not because of it's value. I'd be equally happy if someone gave me a letter, a cup of coffee, $5 gift card... or even simply said "thank you" because it's not about me. It's about the meaning to them.
Gift vs. Bribe pretty much comes down to intent. If it's meant as a "thank you" for what you've done, it's a gift. If it's to get you to do something "extra," then it's a bribe. I'm happy to accept gifts. The people that do offer gifts understand that I don't, and won't, treat them any differently than any other person.Cash is OK... only in very small, token amounts. Same with other things: must be low value, token items. I'm very inflexible about that. It is all about allowing someone to express themselves in a healthy manner. It can be considered rude to not accept a gift. One other thing I'm extremely inflexible about is that never ask for "favors" or anything else like that. If you decide to give me a gift, it's all your decision. For me to ask, gift then becomes graft, and therefore I become corrupt.
Even when I'm accepting the gift, I make sure that I express to them that I appreciate the token of their gratitude, as a symbol of it, and that's why I'm accepting it, not because of it's value. I'd be equally happy if someone gave me a letter, a cup of coffee, $5 gift card... or even simply said "thank you" because it's not about me. It's about the meaning to them.
The legal difference between a gift and a bribe is very blurry, especially when providing services funded by the federal government, intent or not. In fact, the anti-kickback statutes make it illegal for both sides, the giver and the recipient. Intent is not expressly identified as a factor.
So you are ok with tipping? Now why do you qualify your cash tips with the statement very small? Is there an ethical difference from a small tip and a large one?
A patients wife gave me $20 today. Policy is that we MUST report it to our CNO. I tried to decline (also policy) but she insisted. I went straight to the CNO... He took it and returned it to her! I refused to do it with him because I didn't want to hurt her feelings. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't even go back in the room ( not my pt today). Now I feel terrible for her! A coworker said I should have not reported it then just bought the pt some crossword books or something. I so wish I had! I feel so horrible for not telling her I had to report it.. Idk what to do now! Should I talk to her and explain????
A patients wife gave me $20 today. Policy is that we MUST report it to our CNO. I tried to decline (also policy) but she insisted. I went straight to the CNO... He took it and returned it to her! I refused to do it with him because I didn't want to hurt her feelings. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't even go back in the room ( not my pt today). Now I feel terrible for her! A coworker said I should have not reported it then just bought the pt some crossword books or something. I so wish I had! I feel so horrible for not telling her I had to report it.. Idk what to do now! Should I talk to her and explain????
You did the right thing. I feel that it's inappropriate to take money from pts or family. If you happen to run into her just say that you appreciate the gesture but its against company policy. I've been offered money before as well but have adamantly declined. If people feel they should give something say that we always appreciate cards, a note to our managers, and always food to the entire unit as a gift if they feel the need! But I wouldn't stress about it. If somebody had found out and you didn't tell it could've gotten messy.
Those are the exact reasons I did report it and I feel I did the right thing but I'm afraid he offended her by returning it. I also feel bad for not telling her I had to report it.
SaoirseRN
650 Posts
I accept gifts for the most part. It's generally from families whose loved ones I've cared for at end of life, or occasionally when I've been there for a major crisis and helped them pull through it. Sometimes it's money, or chocolates, or gift cards. I accept them, not because I feel I'm entitled, but because I recognize that this is something they felt they needed to do. They want to thank me for whatever I may have done for them and this is how they chose to do so. Accepting their gifts is acknowledging their gratitude. I would not deny them that
However, something offered in the hopes that it would garner special favour would most certainly be turned down without question.