Am I the only one that is bothered by this? I see so many healthcare professionals, nurses, aides, etc. who, either intentionally or unintentionally, wear their name badges backwards. It bothers me both as a co-worker and when I am the patient. I know that some people do it because they don't want people knowing their names, but honestly, how are you supposed to work with someone or be cared for by someone who you don't even know by name? I don't think that last names should be displayed on a name badge, especially in this crazy world that we live in today, but I think that to display your first name, job title, and photo ID should be required. In most facilities, this technically is a requirement, yet still, half the employees will have their name badge on backwards. Call me paranoid, but if someone comes into my room when I'm the patient and wants to do a procedure on me, I want to be able to tell right away who they are and what their job title is. Ditto when a co-worker shows up to take one of my patients somewhere or to assist me with the patient's care.
A large number of people have written they were not aware their name tag had turned.If I want to know whos taking c/o me or my pts Ill ask or let you know your name badge is turned around.It is common practice in the ER to do this with your name tag.I personally have never worried about it,nor do I condone the practice.First name and RN on both sides will do the trick.
Obviously you and the people who liked your post have never been stalked by a patient before have you? Until you've had strange calls on your cellphone and creepy friend requests on facebook, you should probably not be speaking about this with any authority.
The examples you give... nurses deal out very painful and unpleasant treatments sometimes. Police deal with much unpleasantness, but to be blunt, they get to carry a gun to protect themselves.
Teachers, secretaries, social workers don't poke people and insert things into peoples' orifices on a daily basis. Paramedics poke people, but sometimes they aren't even conscious and they don't care for those patients for as long as nurses do.
I'm not in psychiatry either; intensive care, rather.
I like to know who is treating me, too. The introduction should be part of the process: Hi, I'm "Sandy" and an LPN. I will be helping you today (whatever is appropriate) with _____________. That shouldn't take too long to say and it will offer comfort and promote a level of cooperation and trust, it seems. I've worked in offices/clinics, Behavioral Health, Wound Care - and this seems to do the job. I NEVER give my last name at work OR where I live....sorry; society is far too strange these days!!
I have to scan the backside of my badge for every med I give. For those patients that are actually awake, I will tell them who I am. Otherwise, the thing's where its' easier to use.
to fix this problem we have two ID badges, back to back, so that regardless how the badge is turned the ID shows.
This is a good idea.
I don't intentionally wear my ID badge backwards. It often gets flipped around throughout the day. If I notice it facing backwards, I will turn it the right way. Not that big of a deal, imo.
kensmith
13 Posts
A large number of people have written they were not aware their name tag had turned.If I want to know whos taking c/o me or my pts Ill ask or let you know your name badge is turned around.It is common practice in the ER to do this with your name tag.I personally have never worried about it,nor do I condone the practice.First name and RN on both sides will do the trick.