Patient tells it like it is!

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

So I got in report this morning that a patient had been retaining CO2, and that the nurse had put him on a NRB because his sats weren't so great. First thing I did was put him on a nasal cannula. to keep his sats around 90 or so.

Around mid morning our weekend hospitalist Dr "Napoleanic Complex" came in and we were discussing the patient and he mentioned the patient having been on the venti-mask. I said "No, he actually was on a NRB when I came on, but I put him back on the NC". He started arguing and told me that he had instructed ER to use the venti mask, that he had ordered the venti mask because he was starting to retain CO2. So I brought him in the room to show him the NRB. He proceed to have one of his little tantrums in the room in front of the A&O patient.

So, we went out of the room. I definately didn't want to discuss this in front of the patient. Then, my nurse manager who was filling in as house Super came around and we proceed to discuss the problem of ER blasting the CO2 retainers with O2 and also nurses not being tuned into the problem. After Dr Napolean left, I told my manager that he had had a tantrum in front of the patient, and she affirmed that it was inappropriate.

So, I went into the patient's room to take his VS. He had a grin on his face, and immediately said "That Doctor sure is a horse's orifice!!!" I tried to play down his remark. Then he said "People have a right to chew someone out, but they should never do it in front of someone else". I explained to him that he wasn't exactly chewing me out, but was angry about something, then I left the room.

My nurse manager was still there, so I told her that the pt said that Dr Napolean was a horse's orifice. I told her I was going to talk to him anyways about that. So he walked up and I proceeded to tell him that, although he had a very valid concern, that he shouldn't air that in front the the patient, that it was bad PR. I told him that we shouldn't work out our dirty laundry in front of the patients. He argued saying that the patients have a right to know everything about their care. I told him that the patient had told me, uncolicited, that he was a horse's orifice.

Later the doctor tried to explain the whole thing to the patient. So I went in and asked the patient "Soooo, how did your conversation with Dr Napolean go???" The patient told me that he told off the doctor telling him that he should never chew out people in front of others. The patient was pretty pleased with himself.

[widi96]

GO Mr. PATIENT! :)

[leslie :-D]

when the heck are docs going to realize that the pts are their bosses, and so, they should be speaking up.

afterall, who is it that pays their salaries?

leslie

[Dolce, RN]

Thats awesome! I can't tell you how many times I've had patients grumble about their doc's bedside manner behind their backs. Then, the minute Dr. Rude-and-Belligerent walks through the door its all smiles and, "Hi, Doctor!" I think that there are some physicians who have their patients bullied into compliance and cooperation. I'm glad there are a few patients out there with the guts to stand up to inappropriate behavior.

[deeDawntee, RN]

Hehehe!! What a great patient...can you send him my way??

:lol2:

[vamedic4, EMT-P]

That's awesome. I've dealt with some real winners in the past many years while taking care of my wife, too.

When are physicians going to realize that, like it or not, medical care is very much a customer service industry. We retain the right to the best care, we pay for it, we can refuse it, and we have the right to be taken care of by someone who's not an @sshole.

Gold star for that patient!!

[fmrnicumom]

Good story. :) Patients definitely have a right to speak their mind about their care. On the flip side, there are patients who will tell off anyone and anything when it truly isn't warranted.

Tiffany

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

There were three great things that came out of the scenario.

1) I have never previously had a problem with Dr 'Napolean' and I always vowed that I would not let him get away with a childish tantrum. I was able to assertively explain to him the error of his ways in front of my manager (who told me later I handled it very professionally)

2) The patient was a perceptive nice guy who was able to, on his own, tell it like it is and reinforce the concept that I was trying to get across to the doctor.

3) My social status among my peers was enhanced by my retelling this amusing story. Many of them have been bullied by Dr Napolean and they took a delight in hearing that I and the patient put him in his place. I transfered the patient to Med-Surg where this hospitalist has wrecked havoc in the past with his belittling behavior.

The patient and I were able to talk afterwards, he told me that "I never did like that sort of stuff, whenever I had to talk to someone, I always would pull them aside". I told the patient that the doctor, who is a pulmonoligist, is very passionate about what he does, is only human, and does care very much even though he sometimes gets carried away. He was a very nice guy and really enjoyed "telling it like it is".

[mizfradd, CNA]

Kudos to you and the patient!!

You both handled a situation that resulted in a win-win outcome. :yelclap:

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Hooray for that patient! I like it when pts tell docs like it is, and I don't just mean in that particular situation, but if the shoe fits....

[nyapa, RN]

Later the doctor tried to explain the whole thing to the patient. So I went in and asked the patient "Soooo, how did your conversation with Dr Napolean go???" The patient told me that he told off the doctor telling him that he should never chew out people in front of others. The patient was pretty pleased with himself.

Oh, how good that must have felt for you! Especially as that man was unwell, and hearing two differing opinions about his health (of course you were right!). Good on you for standing up for yourself too! Wouldn't it be great if "high and mighty Dr" learnt a lesson as well? Of course his type usually don't...

[nurse grace RN, BSN]

kudos to you and the patient!