Taking picture of patient?

[rkitty198]

Hello all-

A co-worker of mine cared for a minor celebrity and was herself a fan. She wanted a picture with the patient and asked if I wanted to get one too. I declined. She took the picture after the patient was discharged. The patient was dressed and standing outside the room.

After having a very busy day I didnt think much about it. I told another co-worker about myself not "getting a picture" with this patient and then I thought I was glad I didnt choose to, because I didnt think it was right (although it would have been neat to have a picture). The co-worker I told, reported this Nurse to management.

This Nurse had a meeting with management and her job is in jeopardy.

Is this wrong? I personally think it is, but I would never want to get my co-worker into trouble. I feel so bad by saying anything as it is affecting her.

Also this staff member was contacted that evening by this former patient for a bleeding IV site issue at discharge and was instructed to go to the ED (I thought calling 911 would have been better as he was at home). My co-worker met the patient in the ED after she was clocked out and off duty to see how the patient was. Do you think this is inappropriate?

I feel badly for her.

What do you all think?

[nursel56]

Yes, it was inappropriate. A big, "A list"film star cut his hand with a wine bottle opener and came to our ED for a few stitches. There is a photo of the entire staff with him and his equally famous A list wife, right out there in the main hallway. Patients and visitors comment on it everyday, "oh wow, so and so were here?!" As if that is impressive somehow. There isn't another hospital for 60 miles, where else was he supposed to go? This is a hospital, not Sardis. It makes us look completely unprofessional and it has always bugged me.

--- T A C K Y --- I'm sorry but that is just embarrassing. There are quite a few restaurants here that have photos and autographs with the owner (usually) and to the owner ie "To Rocky--" at Benihana. That's great! It might help both of them get good publicity. It's not OK to do that at a hospital.

To everyone else-- the way I look at it is - sure, maybe it doesn't seem like a big deal to you to ask for an autograph or a picture, but when a celebrity goes out in public, and everybody feels that way, it is a big deal for the celebrity. I just feel like they should have the right to go grocery shopping, to get a cup of coffee, or get stitched up at the ER just like anybody else without being made a spectacle out of.

[backatit2]

I agree completely, I think professionalism is the most valuable asset anyone can project at work.

I've been to taverns that have pictures of celebrities who drink/eat there...never a hospital. It is just in poor taste to do so.

i would be more annoyed by a random person asking for a picture while i was out to eat than i would be by a nurse who cared for me in the hospital. in fact, i wouldn't be annoyed at all - JMO.

[AriesPanda]

i would be more annoyed by a random person asking for a picture while i was out to eat than i would be by a nurse who cared for me in the hospital. in fact, i wouldn't be annoyed at all - JMO.

You might feel that way, and I might feel that way (if we were celebrities - we'd probably both be the friendly kind)! But for the nurse who asks for the photo she is lacking professionalism.

If you have ever been to a restaurant in NYC it is usually a "headshot" photo donated by the celebrity (and often signed), not an actual picture of them eating or drinking in the restaurant, so there is usually a difference betwwn a candid and a headshot in a restaurant.