Hey guys. I had the most horrendous night last night. Unfortunately, we have 24 visiting hours (that's a whole other topic!). I have this patient who always has at least 2 visitors, and they are always very needy and pushy. Well last night around midnight, one of them asked if they could get some soda. Now, this visitor was a male probably no older than 25. I told him where the nearest machine was. He replied, "Isn't that your job to get me that?!! :angryfire" I told him no, I was here for my 8 pts to look after.
Well, about an hour later the call light for that room came on. I went in and the patient needed help to the bathroom and the rude visitor was saying goodbye..he was leaving. Right as he was leaving he said, "thanks for nothing" towards me and tossed his *full* cup of soda in the trashcan near where I was standing, and all the soda splashed on me and was running down my scrub bottoms. He saw what happened, burst out laughing, and left the room. I was infuriated! I felt like doing something, but I didn't know what to do. It's not really a crime or anything, but Im trying to think if i should get this visitor banned from the floor. Any suggestions?
I agree I don't fully understand this unlimited visiting hrs and waitress activity. But it is totally getting out of control. Yesterday I had a patients family bring in pizza, their family member was NPO I was the mean nurse when I asked them to please eat it in the solarium. I'm tired of being on visitor protrol , I have more important things to do.
Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.
Oh, and here's wishing a particularly swift and cranky case of karma overtakes the punk- especially may it happen the next time he dons an expensive set of new duds. If it could involve foul odors and a female he wants to impress, so much the better!
Report it to the hospital. Make sure to discuss the situation with your unit manager also. I'd even consider filling out an incident report.
Think about it: if increased incident reports are being filled out by nurses regarding visitors (# in the room, time of visit, etc), perhaps these "24-hr visitor" rules would be ammended. I'm in the ED, so I'm personally familiar with 24-hr visitors. However, we have cameras everywhere and security patrols the hallways. I maintain a "2 visitors per patient" rule but I make exceptions for respectful visitors (and if the patient is critical, I do my best to accomodate everyone).
I think that the 24-hr visitor rule is poor judgement - unless you had cameras everywhere and security was present in the department. Exceptions must be made, especially for ICU patients and dying patients. But I would not want to be on a med-surg floor recovering from a procedure, only to hear visitors trampling in and out of the department. And as a patient, I also wouldn't feel safe knowing that visitors have 24-hr access to an area (unless there was heavy security presence).
Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.
I agree I don't fully understand this unlimited visiting hrs and waitress activity. But it is totally getting out of control. Yesterday I had a patients family bring in pizza, their family member was NPO I was the mean nurse when I asked them to please eat it in the solarium. I'm tired of being on visitor protrol , I have more important things to do.
I suppose the other thing in this picture that puzzles me is the lack of common sense (I know, not all that common) and consideration for their own family member!!
Dad can't have anything to eat or drink, so we're all just going to sit here and scarf down all this yummy food right in front of his face!!
Doesn't that just take a special kind of stupid??
If I'm sitting in a room NPO, just try bringing in a cup of coffee and drinking it in front of me; I'll do you an injury!
I agree I don't fully understand this unlimited visiting hrs and waitress activity. But it is totally getting out of control. Yesterday I had a patients family bring in pizza, their family member was NPO I was the mean nurse when I asked them to please eat it in the solarium. I'm tired of being on visitor protrol , I have more important things to do.
Ridiculous! They brought in pizza? Why would visitors want to eat in the hospital room which is filled with germs and who knows what else?
It was nice of you to tell them to eat elsewhere since it was probably excruciating for the patient who was NPO to watch them eat. Plus, what if the patient snuck a bite? I've gotten to a point where I flat out tell patients and visitors "Your belly needs to be empty for some tests/procedures that we do. Iif you eat something, it has to come right back out with a tube that goes from your nose to your belly; and I don't want to do that to you because it is very uncomfortable". I find visitors and patients withdraw the "mean nurse" card, and instead are grateful towards me because they don't want to go that route.
You know...it's part of the new culture...It's expected that any employee NEAR food/drink should be more than willing to get it for someone. I offer that to visitors...but ONLY when I"m completely on time or caught up. I'm not going to put myself farther behind to accomplish 5-6 tasks for your visitors...(you know, because as soon as you get one soda, then the other one wants a cup of coffee, then a jello, etc)
May the law of karma quickly show that jerk what he deserves....next time he asks for a soda, I'd just tell him....."well, mcdonald's is a couple blocks down....I'm trying to get your loved one some medication so they can be comfortable." what a tool.
But, when there are requests or behaviors that are clearly understood by all to be either abusive/rude/manipulative, my advice to all new nurses, old and new is;
Forget the long drawn out explanations for what might happen if they do this that or the other thing. Keep it curt and direct as possible....and all done with a smile. They'll get it and realize you are one nurse they will not screw with. Works every time...let them know you will not hesitate to call security...and don't bluff.
And...Stop complaining about 24/hr visiting. We have it too and it is no problem as long as you realize that you are the ultimate gatekeeper...not the family, the doctor, the manager, the CEO, etc.
Do not make excuses or overly long explanations--unless they are warranted--for why you must do what you need to do.
Being nice and being in control of your time and practice are not mutually exclusive.
Just smile and tell them when they need to step out or wait until you are ready.
You'll be held accountable if things go wrong. That translates into power to control your patient's environment. Because if you don't...who will?
Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.
I wonder why hospitals haven't started doing like some airlines do and offer paid beverage/snack services for non-patients.
"You'd like a Coke? Certainly, sir, I'll send the waitress right down. That'll be $2, by the way, and exact change will be appreciated." (Waitress, not nurse, unit clerk, nor CNA!)
Or, and I've made this suggestion before, set up concierge floors. The patients pay a daily premium, not chargeable to insurance, for the service. The premium pays for the extra food, beverages, and service staff. The patients get the same nursing care everywhere, but if they want to be waited on hand and foot, they pay extra for the privilege.
I suppose the other thing in this picture that puzzles me is the lack of common sense (I know, not all that common) and consideration for their own family member!!
Dad can't have anything to eat or drink, so we're all just going to sit here and scarf down all this yummy food right in front of his face!!
Doesn't that just take a special kind of stupid??
If I'm sitting in a room NPO, just try bringing in a cup of coffee and drinking it in front of me; I'll do you an injury!
I AGREE!!!!! When I have my surgeries my fam knows to not eat infront of me. My mom preparing a lunch for herself, that is fine, she will be at the hospital all day, she will need food (and the cafe is expensive).
SEENIT
34 Posts
I agree I don't fully understand this unlimited visiting hrs and waitress activity. But it is totally getting out of control. Yesterday I had a patients family bring in pizza, their family member was NPO I was the mean nurse when I asked them to please eat it in the solarium. I'm tired of being on visitor protrol , I have more important things to do.