For Nurses, it doesn't exist. We talk about the most gross and embarrassing things all the time. We rely on detailed information in order to properly care for our patients. The patient interview often invites the most intimate and humiliating answers. In fact, a patient can tell a Nurse anything and be assured the information revealed will be utilized in a non-judgmental way and only for their benefit. TMI just doesn't exist. Agree?
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
For Nurses, it doesn't exist. We talk about the most gross and embarrassing things all the time. We rely on detailed information in order to properly care for our patients. The patient interview often invites the most intimate and humiliating answers. In fact, a patient can tell a Nurse anything and be assured the information revealed will be utilized in a non-judgmental way and only for their benefit. TMI just doesn't exist. Agree?
Disagree.
If I'm interviewing you about your raging STD, I do need to know all about your swinging, anal penetration, and every other object you've had up there. If I'm treating your broken finger, maybe not. If I'm a Case Manager trying to figure out which rehab facility suits you best, all that would way too much information because you're probably not going to be hosting (or attending) swinging parties until you're back on your feet. That isn't to say I would be sharing your intimate details with all and sundry, but DANG! That's just too good NOT to tell the physician who is setting your finger.
If you broke your leg in a snowboarding accident (really) I don't need to know all the humiliating details about how your mother tortured you in your childhood forty years ago . . . but I can refer you to a mental health specialist who can help you sort through it all. So I really don't need to know anything more than that you'd like to be referred to a mental health specialist. However if you broke your leg when your intimate partner pushed you off the chairlift on it's way up the mountain, telling me all about your abusive marriage may be helpful . . . we know to refer you to whatever resources are available.
If your husband is being treated for chest pain in the ER, I really DON'T need to know all about YOUR diabetes, gall bladder surgery or STD. If you're having issues at this time, you need to sign in and go sit in the waiting room until your name is called.
There's definitely such a thing as TMI. I can talk wounds and poop all day but please keep your irrelevant skeletons in the closest, I don't always have brain bleach on hand.
That is a little too close to the truth. I spent 24 hrs in the hospital last week and hubby came in looking for my room. He was greeted by a volunteer who basically gave him the hospital's history and she directed him to the "secret and oldest elevator in the building" to take up to my room. He was cracking up by the time he reached me.
kdkout, BSN, RN
163 Posts
Yep. "Viscious." Just like you think. There's many, many more equally depressing names I could mention.