It happens to all of us. We're in a patient's room, we go out intending to get that pillow, that sleeping med, whatever (it's usually something minor), and as you're passing another patient's room, Something Very Bad is happening and you're suddenly taking care of a crashing patient, and Stable Patient's pillow is the furthest thing from your mind.
We're not allowed to say to Stable Patient, "I had a patient who needed me more" and now when we go back there a half-hour later, Stable Patient is ready to spit nails because she's been waiting so long for something that seems so simple. She's threatening to write to everyone up to the Pope about this inefficient service, and you know that she's the type to do it.
You now have to calm this patient down and take care of her.
How do you handle it? What do you say? How do you smooth things over?
This thread reminds of the 1st & only time I'd ever lost my temper with a patient. The roommate kept climbing out of bed, trying to pull out PEG tube, foley, IV...lost that about 3 times in night... The roommate is c/o that his water is not cold enough, as 3 of us are struggling to keep Mr.Confused from busting his head open while trying to beat the hell out of us with his grabber. I told the roommate, while tangled up in the mess, that I would get him fresh ice water as soon as I could. Then, here comes a pitcher of water flying across the room. I was like, Did you seriously just throw that pitcher?! He screamed at me to go get the "f-in ice water." I must have looked mad b/c the other 2 nurses with me had that uh-oh look on their face... & then I kinda just snapped & told the roommate... I'll get your "f-in ice water when I am done getting my ass kicked by your 93 yr old roommate & after I clean up that mess you made like a 2 yr old having a temper tantrum, so I don't break my neck slipping on water YOU threw onthe floor while I am TRYING to help your roommate." We were a unit all by ourselves & it was just us 3 nurses on night shift, so no other help available... Ughghg...
The old guy settled down & FINALLY fell asleep, I cleaned up the water that had been thrown, got the fresh ice water, & PROFUSELY apologized.... Never kissed butt so much, but it needed to be done.
Anyway, the roommate also apologized, we chatted for awhile since the night was once again peaceful... Turns out, day & evening shift hadn't given him fresh water all day & he thought all we did was sit at the desk sleeping... He ended up giving my name on a patient survey & raved about me... LUCKY ME!!!
That's a great story, I really could visualized the whole thing! LOL
GardenDove
962 Posts
That's a great story, I really could visualized the whole thing! LOL