I recently changed jobs. I moved from a large, metro hospital in a liberal city to one located in a relatively small town. Because I live in a small town, I expected some narrow minded ignorance. I didn't have to wait long. To make a long story short, one of the hospitalists refused to provide care for a patient based on the patient's sexual orientation. I am just blown away. I think that the doctor would probably be disciplined at my old hospital but here, no one blinked an eye. Sigh...
OCRN3 388 Posts Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP. Has 16 years experience. Mar 7, 2014 Wow! I can't believe that?!?? I guess that doctor didn't take the same oath the others took. sad....Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com
nrsang97, BSN, RN 2,602 Posts Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg. Has 22 years experience. Mar 7, 2014 Wow really sad.
Editorial Team / Admin Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN 6 Articles; 11,325 Posts Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development. Has 18 years experience. Mar 7, 2014 Isn't that illegal?Unfortunately, sexual orientation is not a protected class in many places. Where I live, it is perfectly legal to deny housing to someone who is gay just for being gay, it is perfectly legal to fire someone just for being gay, the list goes on.
VANurse2010 1,526 Posts Has 6 years experience. Mar 7, 2014 Isn't that illegal?I wouldn't say it's "illegal" but I doubt the medical board in that state would be pleased.
casi, ASN, RN 2,063 Posts Specializes in LTC. Has 3 years experience. Mar 7, 2014 That is sick. What happens when that patient crashes and that's the only hospitalist on? Is he going to give substandard care then? He's a doctor. When he signed up for this he knew that he'd run into a lot of people who's lifestyles he didn't agree with. You just have to put that to the side and keep on caring for him. I hate caring for addicts, but I still do it.
Ruas61, BSN, RN 1,368 Posts Specializes in MDS/ UR. Has 41 years experience. Mar 7, 2014 Why the hell should that even matter? You are treating them not dating them.
LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN 8,429 Posts Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma. Has 18 years experience. Mar 7, 2014 Isn't that illegal?I thought that it was illegal as well; no one can be refused treatment based on race, sexual orientation, religion, or culture; I thought that this was a CMS rule; you can't refuse to care for someone based on those factors, as well as accommodate preferences that may discriminate based on those classes.
imintrouble, BSN, RN 2,406 Posts Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg. Has 16 years experience. Mar 7, 2014 It's not that I'm doubting your post, but it puzzles me. It makes no sense that the hospital, his employer, would allow this to happen. It opens up all kinds of avenues for lawsuits. The PR fallout would be a nightmare.
twinkerrs 244 Posts Mar 7, 2014 The problem is pr only happens when people are bold enough to make waves. Not all people are willing to put their business out there like that unfortunately. I so believe CMS has regulations about this and if he came in through ER EMTALA would protect this patient. If this were happening at my hospital I would definitely be looking for a way to anonymously stir the pot. One phone call questioning the rights to CMS should do the trick.
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN 4 Articles; 20,908 Posts Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma. Has 43 years experience. Mar 7, 2014 What department was this...is this a not for profit?
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