creinkent

I’m curious if the size of the hospital and if it is associated with a medical school has a bearing on maintaining pt "modesty" in the OR suite. Thoughts? Is it OK to tell the pt that their dignity will be protected – whether it is or not? Is it enough to say that if the patient is treated with modesty before going under, and they are properly covered up when they again become conscious, that their dignity has been protected? About the surgery my wife had a while ago, she reflected: "Well, if I were uncovered during the process, you would have to ask someone else, because -- I wasn’t there."

Wow - what a great response. Just to let everyone know, the pt "was" 60 yrs old, her husband had died a year ago, her brother was coming in from out of state and she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She was going into surgery (first time ever - never had kids) and was afraid (see tess rn comment about not knowing) that she would die soon and that she wanted to be treated with dignity ---- dignity = humanity = possible death = fear. I do not believe that the thought of being naked in front of strangers was her reall issue. She died on the table. This got me thinking - a lot - about how the medical community sometimes only treats the disease and not the person. And people know when they are not being told the entire truth - just as kids do. Simply, how well you are treated depends upon the luck of the draw of what care givers you get. Do you get "subee" or do you get nurse Crached (aka nurseangle47). If nurseangle47 acutually interfaces with patients, they will get the unease that they are a piece of meat - and that doesn't help their recovery and could scar them for life - regardless of competent she is. My only hope is that nurseangle47 has never had to be subjected to the treatment clearly she doles out to her "patients". It is up to us to treat the whole pt. In the old testament there is a discussion about the measure of a man is what he does when no one is looking. I would submit that our unconscious patients is that challenge. If we treat our patients with disrespect when they are not looking, how does that effect us when they are aware - aka - in the hospital room, in the dr. office, etc. Of particular note is non-consentual pelvic exams in the OR - I am very glad that this long accepted practice is coming under such scrutiny and has come into public view. I need to give more thought as to how I will answer questions from pts like my post in the future. I will post my thoughts soon and would appreciate feedback. In closing, it has nothing to do with being "naked" in the OR; It has EVERYTHING though to do with our humanity. Just because "we are professional" and see this stuff all the time, doesn't mean really anything to a patient. Tessa RN statement that knowing what goes on helps her cope with her own illness - GOES FOR OUR PATIENTS AS WELL. Sorry for the soap box, but my experience with the pt was very thought provoking for me. Thanks for everyones contributions - it has begun to clarify my thinking.

Yes - that is a good blog as well as the "Naked" companion blog. ICEYspots - have you had any experience with this?

It could be, but it is also maybe coming from fear.

Want to get feedback about how we all handle pt concerns about modesty and/or being naked as part of surgery. Concerns about who sees them and for how long? Why do they need to be naked? When is the gown removed, etc? How much do you tell them? How do you handle pt that is concerned about students practicing pelvic exams on them without concent? How to handle the situation when after the surgery they realize they had been "exposed"?

Want to get feedback about how we all handle pt concerns about modesty and/or being naked as part of surgery. Concerns about who sees them and for how long? Why do they need to be naked? When is the gown removed, etc? How much do you tell them? How do you handle pt that is concerned about students practicing pelvic exams on them without concent? How to handle the situation when after the surgery they realize they had been "exposed"?