patient romance?

[nursiemellie]

There are 2 residents in my nursing home who have been getting progressively intimate with each other. The man (joe) has a girlfriend whom he goes out on pass with every now and then. The lady (jane) was a new admission and ever since she's been here she and him have been talking and getting to know each other. In the beginning it was fine, they were just sitting next to each other and talking in the hallway or the day room. One day the CNA saw jane's hand on joe's leg while they were chatting. When joe was sent to the hospital jane became agitated and in a bad mood the whole shift (which i'm sure had something to do with missing joe). Now I saw Jane and Joe in Joe's room at night when i come onto my shift. LIke last night Joe was lyinig in bed and Jane had her head on Joe's abdomen and they were watching tv in his room! I know this has to stop before something bad happens (pregnancy, rape, abuse, fight with joe's sig. other etc). But i'm not sure how i should be documenting this behavior? Thats where i need help. Has anyone ever had resident's like this? What did you do about it and how was it documented?

Sorry it's quite lengthy!

[nursiemellie]

Wow I didn't think I'd get so many good responses! Thanks a lot guys. I don't return to work for a couple of days, but when I do I'll try and find out how my ltc is to document this behavior and what actions are to be taken.

[handyrn]

Just to let you know what we are told in our facility with our psych patients, if they are on the same level, they can be together. Even if they are both confused, psychotic, etc, they are ok as long as they are on the same level of intelligence.

That being said, just document what you saw and how you educated them on making sure that they keep their private issues private, and that you provided privacy for them by shutting the door, providing a "do not disturb sign" or whatever it is you did to ensure that no one bothered them during their private time together. End of story.

Oh, you may also want to document in their individual charts that you talked to them individually and they consented to the relationship and do not feel threatened by the other (if that is the case).

As for the families-good luck!

[dialysis12041999]

Okay I didn't mean that I should be the one to interfere and stop their relationship, who would want that done to them? My concern was how to document the behavior because the facility does allow these patient relationships but it has to be documented and their family members have to be aware of this situation also. It's the whole CYA thing. They are both alert and oriented x 3, middle aged adults with psychotic problems.

Unless family members are POA's or the patients gives consent to provide this information, you don't need to inform the family.

Care Plan everything including social relationships. If their was ever any questions about the relationship as long as you care planned and update your patient teaching section of the care plan you are fine. My Grandmother inlaw is a 98 year old nurse(still practicing!!) and she has a young 88 year old boyfriend.