They were in bed together.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2017

When I worked in the hospital, a colleague once walked in on an infant patient's parents (who were 16 years old, btw) having sex.

Insperation · Jul 15, 2017

Sounds like he had everything he needed.

delawaremalenurse · Jul 15, 2017

I think you only get in trouble if you join in.

:wideyed: ... :barf02:

Guest219794 · Jul 15, 2017

Wait...this happened to you during clinical rotation and you DIDN'T discuss this in post-conference? When your clinical instructor asked you, "Well, did anything exciting happen with your patient today?" what was your answer? "Not much. Just morning meds and therapeutic communication."

You are assuming this actually happened, and that the poster is real.

First and only post, no response to responding posts.....

Also, I would assume anybody smart enough to turn on a computer would have the intelligence to ask her supervising nurse or instructor, rather then The World Wide Web.

Yaadie · Jul 15, 2017

Well, you checked in to see if he needed anything- looks like that was a "no". Seriously, I don't think you're in any trouble...

I'm not. I emailed my instructor.

Yaadie · Jul 15, 2017

You are assuming this actually happened, and that the poster is real.
First and only post, no response to responding posts.....
Also, I would assume anybody smart enough to turn on a computer would have the intelligence to ask her supervising nurse or instructor, rather then The World Wide Web.

This is a forum to ask questions. There are various threads from posters with only 1 post because they only wanted one question answered.

saskrn · Jul 15, 2017

I'm currently completing my med surg clinicals and yesterday was my last day. While going in to check if my client needed anything, I walked in on him and his girlfriend(I'm assuming because I hadn't met her) having full blown intercourse. Once they noticed i was in the room they stopped but didn't move so I immediately left but I didn't report it. Will I get in trouble? We never went over any guidelines for such a situation. By the way, he was 63 with some dementia.

Since he had some dementia and you didn't actually know who the woman was, I would have reported it for safety reasons. When it comes to nursing I never assume, especially where safety is involved.

I've (unfortunately) found many patients in sexual situations. Some were completely appropriate, some were not. The inappropriate instances included a minor and her boyfriend, a drug seeker who was looking for "some Valium and a really good time", and a 30 year old masturbating cancer patient. The cancer patient wouldn't have been a problem, but he used to masturbate only when specific nursing students were doing clinical, and he used to try and lure them into his room.

I really can't imagine why anyone would want to have sex in a hospital.

Anonymous865 · Jul 15, 2017

You are assuming this actually happened, and that the poster is real.
First and only post, no response to responding posts.....
Also, I would assume anybody smart enough to turn on a computer would have the intelligence to ask her supervising nurse or instructor, rather then The World Wide Web.

My first thought was a question for a class, since this is the scenario discussed in the current issue of AMA's Journal of Ethics.

Ethics and Intimate Sexual Activity in Long-Term Care, July 17 - AMA Journal of Ethics

RNGummy40 · Jul 15, 2017

Well in the acute care setting, IN EPIC, there is required documentation for how nursing is allowing the patient to maintain their intimacy. Nursing staff allows privacy, anything else needed requires discharge papers! I wonder why you did not ask you instructor or the floor nurse you were working with.

The concern I have is the assumptions you listed in your post. You "Assumed," it was his girl friend, and the patient has "Some," dementia. If any patient has dementia you need to know who is visiting them, because if someone entered their room, they did not know it would be a safety/privacy concern. We have had substance misuse patient enter other patient rooms, attempting to steal or have physical altercations with other patients. There are terrible situations of abuse where abuse has occurred behind curtains, and the wrong assumptions were initially made.

There is a twisted irony, that staff are uncomfortable about knowing if a patient is being intimate, but its normal to place a foley or provided pericare.

If I see a couple trying to be close, "sitting on the bed," as long as it's not an isolation room, I do say, "If you want me to come back at a specific time so you are not disturbed just let me know." Document time for intimacy provided. I have laughed when my coworkers think it is pointless to chart on intimacy. They can't believe that every patient who asks for lotion has dry skin. For patients who are on hospice, or are stuck in the hospital for long length of stays, they are human and they need to be respected.

Aristillus · Jul 15, 2017

This whole scene might have been avoided if you'd simply knocked on the door and asked if you could come in.

JKL33 · Jul 15, 2017

Who says the door was closed?! Although not the situation here, some patients definitely do not require there to even BE a door. Curtain situations suit some just fine. :wacky:

But yes...perhaps knocking on the door jamb, rustling the curtain, saying "knock knock?"...

SouthpawRN · Jul 16, 2017

Who says the door was closed?! Although not the situation here, some patients definitely do not require there to even BE a door. Curtain situations suit some just fine.
But yes...perhaps knocking on the door jamb, rustling the curtain, saying "knock knock?"...

Maybe they are exhibitionists and wanted to be seen!