Patient sent a friend request

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Specializes in Hospice.

I'm pretty sure I know what you guys are going to advise, but I'm putting it out here anyway. Although we do get close to patients, I try at all times to remain professional. Today, I was shocked that one of my hospice patients sent a friend request.

I do not want to offend him in any way, but I don't think it's appropriate to blur the boundaries. My plan is to blame company policy.

What say you?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Don't cross the boundary. You can simply let the friend request sit unanswered.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I recently had a friend request from a discharged patient. I responded that while I wished the patient all the best, it was against policy to maintain social media contact with patients. I thought it best to not ignore them, but let them know it's a professional boundary.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ICU.

I would do exactly what JB said. I wouldn't leave it unanswered, especially a hospice patient. I'd blame it on policy like you mentioned.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

I live in a small rural area where everyone is related, and anyone could be a pt. I keep my circle to direct family. And blame company policies when I decline a friend request

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Specializes in kids.

I totally get all of the reasons why not...but a declining a hospice patients friend request seems so sad to me...

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