Patient 'found' my number on the internet...

Published

Specializes in Critical Care.

So I was out with my girlfriend and I get a call from my sister explaining to me that someone had called my house asking for me. She said that the person said he was a patient of mine and wanted to talk to me about how he was doing etc. They told my sister and I quote "I found you number on the internet, you know you can find alot of stuff on the internet" Ahem...***** Well i nearly drove off the road, started yelling and screaming using some of the most colorful words i could conjure up at the moment. Not only is that extremely weird, but in my book, this classifies itself as stalking. I guess I also need to say that this person went to high school with me, and by with i mean I never was friends with this kid, never talked a single word to him at all, holy crap...i didn't even think the kid spoke! So 2 days ago I'm watching TV with my dad and the phone rings, we have caller ID that pops up on the TV when its on and I freaked out and I said DO NOT PICK THAT *#$@^#@ PHONE UP!!, of course its th Sis person calling again. I really didn't think the person would call back but he did and now I'm legit like freaked out about it. The kid not only has a laundry list of medical problems for which i don't give a hoot to talk to him about, but he also has mental problems, WHICH i might add he felt the need to talk to my sister about for 20 minutes the first time he called. So today when everyone in my family was around I said listen, if this number pops up, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES pick it up or I'll shove the phone so far up all of your ***** i'll make it come out your mouth. Of course my mother the pacifist is like well why dont you talk to him he probably does not have any friends. I said are you out of your mind ?!?! The phone call itself crosses so many boundaries in medicine/nursing that I cant even begin to tell you, not to mention the fact that it stalking! And of course my mother still wants me to be nice and I'm yelling by this point about how my philosophy is "Once a patient, ALWAYS a patient" and finally my father steps in agrees with me. Now here's where Im looking for advice...Im not sure if i should tell the hospital I work at or not..it doesn't seem like a hospital issue but I honestly don't have enough experience to know if thats the right thing to do, something tells me I should but like i said I'm not sure? So I'm willing to take any advice you might have...And on a funny note..i call optimum to ask if there is a way to block nuisance callers and she tells me, oh that feature was supposed to be out at the beginning of may but it's due to release in the first week of june...lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's exactly why I cover up my last name on my badge. I had one patient say to me, "I looked up your first name on facebook and I couldn't find you!" That was a relief.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

if they went to high school together, covering up the last name (especially for a guy, who presumably still has the same last name as he did in the high school yearbook) isn't going to help anything. usually, patients who try to contact you will give up after they realize that you're usually unavailable and that you're not calling them back. it's your family i'm worried about -- tell them ruby said to just say no!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgery.

Creepy! Why would he possibly think it is okay to call you when you clearly did not give him your number and ask him to call? I wish you the best of luck with this situation. I had a stalker once (ex co-worker). Ignore him and maybe he'll get the point. If not, confront him and be very direct and honest without being insulting. You don't want to **** off a crazy person because you never know what they will do.

Now I just need to find something to cover my last name with on my badge...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I used to get some doozy calls from whoever was stalking me and I took to changing my cell phone numbers on a regular basis. Unfortunately I figured out that it never took very long for the calls to start in again, so I learned to live with it. I just don't answer the phone unless I recognize the caller. It doesn't do any good to try to take any steps against somebody harassing you. If they want to do it, they can do it and law enforcement says there is nothing you can do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Creepy! Tell your mom and your sister to under no circumstances encourage him to continue this because they think it is harmless and/or they feel sorry for him.

If they don't get it, a family viewing of the movie "What About Bob?" with Bill Murray may be in order.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I used to get some doozy calls from whoever was stalking me and I took to changing my cell phone numbers on a regular basis. Unfortunately I figured out that it never took very long for the calls to start in again, so I learned to live with it. I just don't answer the phone unless I recognize the caller. It doesn't do any good to try to take any steps against somebody harassing you. If they want to do it, they can do it and law enforcement says there is nothing you can do.

How on earth did they continue to get your cell number? Cell numbers aren't published in phone directories.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Wound care, Surgery,Infection control.

Milk of Amnesia (love that name)............ I would absolutely tell the hospital, but keep in mind the HIPPA laws. You can say his conversation with your sister was inappropriate and your family is concerned,don't tell administration you shared his medical history with mom and dad.

Now I am waiting for your post to be edited - watch your language missy! Save the F-bombs for work, were they belong.:w00t:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Just out of curiosity, why have you not just answered the phone and clearly explained your professional boundries and tell this guy that all further health related questions need to be directed to his doctor & to please not call your number again?

Then if he continues to call then I would alert the hospital and probably the police as well.

At this point it seems to me like you're freaking out for nothing and being a little unreasonable with your family.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is off-topic but you actually used those words with your dad and family?!:eek:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

As Ruby pointed out, it's your family I'm worried about. Does your sister know him from HS too?What was she doing on the phone with him for 20minutes?

You called him "kid"? You weren't in the same grade with him?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
This is off-topic but you actually used those words with your dad and family?!:eek:

I was thinking the exact same thing. And in their home, at that? Anyway, that's none of my business. :rolleyes:

OP- I agree that you should politely tell this person that you do not want him calling you anymore. Then if it continues, you should notify the proper authorities at your hospital. That way if the person tries to cause problems for you, because he feels you blew him off, you can have proof that he was the one calling and bothering you. I'm not sure how much weight it would hold, but at least it would be documented. Then if he gets aggressive and starts to really harass you, you need to get the police involved.

I have been on the other side of a stalking ex-boyfriend. I had to change my number, e-mail, and place of employment. And the police were even called on two occasions. You should never underestimate what one will do, when they feel desperate or ignored, especially if they have some type of mental impairment. Hopefully he will get the hint, once you tell him to stop.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion