Talking about your day.. Or not..

[juliek391]

So it really irks me that for both HIPAA reasons and those relating to the gag reflex of others, I am severely limited on what I can talk about after a hard day's work. I already have to be uber vague about anything that might, obviously, reveal to much about the patient. But even in being totally ambiguous, I can't even talk about the really gross or "cool" stuff I saw because my boyfriend will curl up into the fetal position, whimper, and tell me to stop. I just want to come home and talk about the highlights of the day, which of course, also happen to be the most revolting to those outside of the medical profession. Does anybody else feel totally repressed in the company of teachers/accountants/lawyers/salespeople/etc. If only everyone could talk about CABGs while eating spaghetti... In a perfect world..

[kristenncrn]

My husband and I are disgustingly sappy together to begin with... but he is (thankfully) in healthcare and at the same facility (in a different field.) He hears everything (of course, respecting the law and ethics...) And I hear everything from him too.... And my 9 year old has no problem talking about vomit, blood or watching Discovery Health surgery shows too.

(Of course, I'm the daughter of a nurse too, so I guess that I figure I turned out alright. Mostly.)

It's been awesome to me when I've felt like the odd girl out for whatever reason - just to be able to say to someone "you'll never believe...." or "have you ever heard about....?" Sometimes we don't have work environments condusive to honest, trusting conversations.

:sigh: Well, I hope that you all do! I got my cute husband, at least!

[Johnny Moo Man]

With due respect to HIPAA, if I want to talk about my day, I'm talking about my day. These aren't State secrets, and I'm just talking to my wife and family. I don't think I've ever mentioned names anyway because nobody knows these people. I'm usually not taking care of Britney Spears.

That said, I know what you mean. Nobody outside of the hospital "gets" it. I can talk about the woman who got caught drinking from her toilet to stay sick and keep getting Dilaudid, and the family laughs grossly. Start telling the details of my day and I'd first have to lay the groundwork of a hospital environment.

So, get home, tell a few funny ones, and forget it. If it's something that really bugs you, bring it here. What else do we have? I would guess cops have the same issues.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i'm lucky -- my husband is a nurse, too. most of the time we've been together,we've worked on the same unit. we talk about everything -- no hipaa problems there! but i think even if there were hipaa issues, we've both been around health care enough for it not to be a problem.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Could you imagine doctors like Atul Gawande or Sherwin Neuland trying to write a book without including telling about patients and what happens in their day? Do you think HIPAA is coming after them?