Kudos to this doctor

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Overheard a conversation the other day between a pt's family member and a doctor. I was sitting at the nurse's station and he was sitting beside me. Family member walked up to him and began yelling that her loved one is not getting the proper nursing care and demanded to know why the pt was not any closer to discharge status. Dr says pt had been educated on post-op plans and had been refusing to take initiative to begin the recovery process (i.e. getting up, ambulating, incentive spirometer, etc.). Per documentation, RNs have been charting (in detail) that pt has been refusing.

Family member screams, "It's THEIR job to help him heal!" Dr responds, "If he doesn't want to help himself, they can't help him. They provide excellent nursing care and it's evident where the problem lies."

Family member continues to yell/scream (literally screaming) about an NA who "got urine all over him while helping him use urinal in bed." Dr says, "I don't understand, why can't he use the urinal without assistance?" She says (through gritted teeth), "if my son, who is sick and in pain and unable to sit up or get out of bed, needs to pee, you better be darn sure someone here is gonna hold his member in a bottle for him...and NOT spill his **** all over him!!" Dr replied, "well ma'am, then I suggest you re-familiarize yourself with your son's anatomy and provide that care yourself."

At this point, I'm picking my jaw up off the floor. On behalf of all RNs and NAs, I wanted to give him a big, fat wet one!!

FYI, pt is twenty-something 3 days s/p lap sleeve gastrectomy.

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I would have bought that man lunch and flowers on the spot. And also written a note of praise to administration on his behalf, because you just know that patient is going to be complaining about him.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

Yes, I definitely would have gotten him a gift cert. to a nice restaurant or something like that. It's a shame that that kind of support is so uncommon.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Hey! Like the other PPs, I suggest making a complimentary comment to that doctor next time you see him. I'm sure that would make his day. REALLY!

And personally, I might even consider making him my own PMP! (Or was he the surgeon?)

Any guesses as to what 'bad survey reports' will be forthcoming from that family? :banghead:

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I don't honk if notify admin as that may not be perceived as favorable. I also wouldn't gift him for doing his job. But I would verbally and/or in writing tell him I appreciate his appropriate handling and for vouching for our nursing staff.

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Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
I don't honk if notify admin as that may not be perceived as favorable. I also wouldn't gift him for doing his job. But I would verbally and/or in writing tell him I appreciate his appropriate handling and for vouching for our nursing staff.

I agree with this tactic! Walking up to someone and telling him how much you appreciate what he did goes a long long way. What that MD said was appropriate and needed. Anecdotally, my husband, who is a surgeon, had the nurses eating out of his hand and appreciated it when they called him with concerns...i.e. did their job. Ok, I did have to educate him over the years, but it has paid off for everyone, especially the patients. Why we don't stick up for each other is mind boggling to me. Commonsense, native shrewdness, team work, collaboration..but I digress....

PS: I despise Press Ganey.

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Hey! Like the other PPs, I suggest making a complimentary comment to that doctor next time you see him. I'm sure that would make his day. REALLY!

And personally, I might even consider making him my own PMP! (Or was he the surgeon?)

Any guesses as to what 'bad survey reports' will be forthcoming from that family? :banghead:

He was the surgeon (attending). I normally don't have much interaction with him because I work nights and normally deal with the on-call residents, but he happened to be on my unit around shift change.

With him, this isn't out of character from what I understand. I'd heard good things about him before from other staff, and I can now say I certainly agree with them.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

OP - so just TELL HIM!

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Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
He was the surgeon (attending). I normally don't have much interaction with him because I work nights and normally deal with the on-call residents, but he happened to be on my unit around shift change.

With him, this isn't out of character from what I understand. I'd heard good things about him before from other staff, and I can now say I certainly agree with them.

Let's hope his residents witness his interactions and with the nurses, as he is a good role model.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Great doc!

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I don't honk if notify admin as that may not be perceived as favorable. I also wouldn't gift him for doing his job. But I would verbally and/or in writing tell him I appreciate his appropriate handling and for vouching for our nursing staff.

Honk if?

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Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.

I DO NOT MISS THE HOSPITAL.

Gosh, this post is giving me flashbacks. Great job, doctor!!!

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