Overbearing pt family

Nurses Safety

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Just wondering if there is any kind of diagnosable syndrome for families of patients with chronic illness who develop an overbearing/controlling role in their loved-ones care? For example, in the hospital where I work, there is a sister of a geriatric patient who manually checks the pt for impaction daily (or more). She is obsessed with the detailed aspects of the things being done for her sister. Her sister resides at the nursing home, but she feels the need to stay with her around the clock, despite the care given the pt by professionals. How specific? you might ask... she blow dries the pubic hair of the pt after each void. That's just one example of how far out this lady goes. And I've also encountered other families while working elsewhere that may be labelled a "Problem Family" because of the lengths they go to when it comes to their loved one. I'm sure anyone in the healthcare field knows what I mean... not just the concerned wife, or the doting the son...but the WAY FAR OUT THERE bunch.

Any way, just wanted to know if there is a NAME for behavior such as this (other than bizarre, inappropriate, et c).

I am thinking this behavior is extreme, abusive, and boardering on incest. This woman needs to be reported to the proper authorities.

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"ok, I'm sorry it wasn't funny."

As for the OP, yes, someone needs to do something with this sister b/c certain things that she does can cause more harm then benefit. Like as OP mentioned "manually checks the pt for impaction."

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Specializes in Orthosurgery, Rehab, Homecare.

Reaching for the psych nursing book . . .. . . How about:

Care giver role strain r/t . . .as evidenced by. . .

Inefective family coping r/t. . . .

Altered Family processes r/t. . .

Dysfunctional greiving r/t. . .

Knowlege deficit r/t. . .

Just a few thoughts. These are all official NANDA Dx's, therefore appropiate to treat with a care plan. Take action- speak up for your patient. What about maintaining her dignity. Offer powder instead of blowdrying to manage moisture. It's much less irritating, not to mention less humiliating. The bowel checks are just inappropiate.

Speak up- be an advocate. Get management involved.

~Jen

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not a diagnosis but certainly falls within the spectrum of the definition....manchausen syndrome by proxy....just a thought

That came to my mind, but I don't think the family is actually making the person sick; it just seems like an obsession with the person's care. Sounds like there's a lot of paranoia/distrust with the medical profession here.

Something's not right.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
she blow dries the pubic hair of the pt after each void.

Social Services, anyone?

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

And let's not forget how hot hair dryers get, she could get burned!

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Specializes in Infection Control, Quality, Risk.
Reaching for the psych nursing book . . .. . . How about:

Care giver role strain r/t . . .as evidenced by. . .

Inefective family coping r/t. . . .

Altered Family processes r/t. . .

Dysfunctional greiving r/t. . .

Knowlege deficit r/t. . .

Just a few thoughts. These are all official NANDA Dx's, therefore appropiate to treat with a care plan. Take action- speak up for your patient. What about maintaining her dignity. Offer powder instead of blowdrying to manage moisture. It's much less irritating, not to mention less humiliating. The bowel checks are just inappropiate.

Speak up- be an advocate. Get management involved.

~Jen

Thank you so much... this is just what I was looking for. Management is aware (the sister makes daily trips to the administrator whenever the pt is hospitalized). But these will definately help in documentation of the issues at hand.

Another question: would the state Ombudsmen be appropriate to notify about this?

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Agree with Fab4fan and those who feel this is likely sexually abusive in nature. You are obligated to report this IMHO.

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It probably wouldn't hurt, but my understanding was the ombudsman is more for concerns re: services/facilities, etc.

I can't believe admin. is just allowing this to happen. And while documentation is crucial, to me spending a lot of time writing wordy careplans that conform to NANDA is like Nero fiddling while Rome burned.

To heck with whether the sister gets upset; someone needs to get the ball rolling on this situation. If anything happens to this pt. and staff were aware of this sister's bizarre behavior, there could be serious liability issues.

Speaking of legal issues, I'd be very careful what you post here. You've already given very specific info. which could easily ID your facility, not to mention the pt. and her sister. People have gotten into trouble before posting work-related issues; in one situation, someone printed out and posted comments made by member here. That person found what she had posted here tacked up on a BB at work, and she wound up getting reprimanded.

(And no, she did not use her real name or ID her facility.)

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Specializes in Staff nurse.

...does the pts. physician know about the hair dryer and daily rectal checks? Would it help if he/she were to educate the sister of the harm to the mucous membranes, etc from her activity? Of course, this would help if doc were to order in writing NO rectal checks, etc. and enable Social services to get involved. If sister attempts the activities, she could be barred from room, etc.

...personally, this looks like abuse, abuse, obsession, abuse, maybe mental illness... this situation is definately in my prayers for the pt. safety and well-being.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

Forget about administration-call the state dept of health,the dept of aging and have someone inform the nursing home that you are taking these steps .I've seem some strange situations in long term care-we have actually been told by the DOH that "the needs of the resident MUST be considered before the demands of the family"That applies in your case..I hope your patient is not aware of the indignity she is suffering...I would also make sure the office of aging checks out BOTH of these women.....Please keep us updated....

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Blow drying the pubic hair, checking for impaction....what the heck is going to come next? Is the resident unable to speak up for herself? I have had my share of "problem families", but never to that extent. Not only do I find it disgusting, but extremely inappropriate (as I'm sure others do as well). There is probably nothing that can be done about it either. I would hope there would be, like reporting her, but then what? Jeez Louise.

:o Jaime

Check out this article in your internet search engine - The Disturbingly Demanding Daughter: A Case Study in Ethics and Law

Marshall B. Kapp, JD, MPH

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