Good Housekeeping Artice?

Published

Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

Was that Good Housekeeping article in this months issue? I was telling co-workers about it earlier, and they were outraged. I would like to get a copy to post, so we can all send them nasty-grams. :) -A

do you mean the one that tells readers to LIE to the triage nurse when going to the ER to get faster service???? Nov issue, on page 60 something. I sent GH a nasty email on that one.........

It's the November 2005 issue. The title of the article is "What Doctors Wish You Knew". As an MA in a clinic my personal fav was "befriend one of the assistants and get her direct telephone ext. It's the best way to ensure that your problems and questions will be taken care of quickly." Thanks a lot Good Housekeeping!! I hardly have time to check my vm for messages from the lab, radiology, and other offices as it is! That's all I need is for patients to start asking for my extension!!!:bugeyes:

Hi Aneroo,

Sorry but I have to shift gears a bit and ask you a totally off topic.

Where did you get that superb logo from Tide? I would like to have that in one of my son's front shirt. Years ago I happen to find a shirt for myself somewhere that had the logo of Pepsi but had 'Jesus' on the front instead of Pepsi and underneath it says, "The choice of all generation". Since then my 13 year old son has been using it and now it's fading I can't find another one.

I would like to get the Tide logo version or buy one if you can help me.I love reinvented symbols like it promoting Jesus.

As for the GH write up I'm going to Borders today and try to find the issue. Then I'm going to post my opinion about it. It sounds seditious. I worked in a busy Chicago ER for 20 years and experienced my fair share of triage nursing and the area of concentration of patients I saw who took advantage of the system or at least knew how to where psych related as well as drug dependent. They knew what "right words" to say so they can move to the front of the line as far as the "list" was concerned and get seen the triage RN or even better placed directly to the examining area. But well trained and experienced triage nurses can be a great antidote to this among other things.

Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

I did write to GH as well. I was floored that the doctor recommended that you have a family member or friend do your complaining while you're in the hospital so that you don't get thought of as a complainer and the nurses don't take it out on you !

Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.

Thanks you guys! I'll be heading to B&N before work to pick up a copy (and maybe some Starbucks). :D -Andrea

Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

The November issue is still on sale. It's royal blue with a big photo of the awesome Dr.Phil on the front.

Specializes in Urgent Care.
Thanks you guys! I'll be heading to B&N before work to pick up a copy (and maybe some Starbucks). :D -Andrea

Forget Barnes and noble, support your local vendors, bookstoores or corner markets. Use B&N When you have to, but SUPPORT YOUR LOCALS otherwise!!

Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

I got a reply a week later from the email I sent them. Same ole BS that someone else posted in the other thread. Word for word, I think. Bleh.

Indy,

I think that's the standard reply that they send ANYONE. I just hope that many people write in about this article because it's only going to get noticed if letters are coming in by volume.

I do hope someone takes notice.

I've said this before in other threads, my personal fav is something like "If you feel the need to go to the ED, call your physician affiliated with the hospital and have him or her call ahead for you." As if that's going to help you get seen faster.

And I was also pretty enraged when I read, "No matter when you symptoms start, tell the triage nurse that it started no more than 4 hours ago. It makes it seem more urgent."

The whole article made me mad. :angryfire

I wrote an e mail and pointed out how the 4 hr "time" can backfire.

The example I used was going to the ER for a mild cold or sniffles. Telling the Triage nurse that you have had symptoms for 4 hrs is not going to work and put you at the head of the line.

I know from personally experience that when patients tell me they are going to go to the ER for minor illnesses, I always tell them to be prepared to be there for at least 4-6 hrs, because they are going not going to be a high priority patient.

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