Refusing care based on sexual orientation

[CrazierThanYou]

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...

[generalRN2008]

Must be a small southern town.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Even though inroads are being made, anti-discrimination laws related to sexual orientation are being enacted on a state-by-state basis. The primary legal argument for excluding sexual discrimination in the "protected classes" that are protected under Federal law is that sexual orientation is a choice, not an innate (biological) characteristic like race, gender, age, etc. IF and when there is sufficient evidence that sexual orientation is biologically determined, this may change.

I work for a Catholic organization, and we do not permit discrimination based on sexual orientation or any other life-style choices. In fact, the current Pope has spoken out against this and has suggested that he supports civil unions for same-sex partners - Yea Frances!!!.

But don't kid yourself - discrimination in all its ugly packages - is alive and well everywhere... it is NOT LIMITED to any geographic area. In Ultra-liberal Portland, OR, there is overt discrimination against anyone who is openly religious.

[Marie-Aymee]

I have had to deal with this kind of small mindedness. I once told a doctor how I felt when he stated that mentally handicapped people have no feelings of pain. He was surprised that pain medication helped this patient have a solid night of sleep. I have dealt with nurses with the same mindset. I have little patience with closed minds.

[T-Bird78]

Report him to the hospital board. They took an oath.

[Wrench Party]

Fwiw, I have run across quite a few nurses with a similar attitude, even privately refusing to acknowledge the patient`s partner in the room. Shame on them.

[CrazyGoonRN]

You expected narrow minded ignorance? All I can say is that no matter where you are if you look for it you will find it.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

You expected narrow minded ignorance? All I can say is that no matter where you are if you look for it you will find it.

In some parts of the country more than others.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

One could site the 14th amendment, however, all those years in medical school and someone who is supposedly quite learned is equally as ignorant.

Look at the mission statement of your facility. I am quite sure that there's an anti-discrimination clause. If this is a small hospital that is part of a parent company, call the ethics hotline.

Outrageous.

[CrazierThanYou]

You expected narrow minded ignorance? All I can say is that no matter where you are if you look for it you will find it.

You think its necessary to look for ignorance in order to find it? Have you lived your life under a rock?

Anyway, no one who knew about the incident seemed surprised or anything else really. Maybe this has happened before or maybe they agreed with his position.

[CrazierThanYou]

I have had to deal with this kind of small mindedness. I once told a doctor how I felt when he stated that mentally handicapped people have no feelings of pain. He was surprised that pain medication helped this patient have a solid night of sleep. I have dealt with nurses with the same mindset. I have little patience with closed minds.

What? That is insane!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

You expected narrow minded ignorance? All I can say is that no matter where you are if you look for it you will find it.

Just because one expects narrow minded ignorance and finds it does not mean that it doesn't exist. It does, and in some places it is virulent.

[CrazyGoonRN]

No I haven't lived my life under a rock. Have you?

Once again I say: if you look for it you will find it, no matter where you are. No need to read more into it and assume I mean more than I said.