treatment of "vip's"

bill4745, RN · Apr 28, 2008

We don't provide 1:1 care for something minor but we do put them in a room quickly, usually through a different door so the other pts don't know where they are going.

RN1989 · Apr 28, 2008

Every hospital I have ever worked at pulls that VIP crap for anybody that they think will give the hospital money, or help. I don't believe in it and think it is completely inappropriate.

On several occasions at one facility I was assigned VIPs because the charge nurse wanted the most experienced nurse there. I was quick to inform the charge that I don't do VIP care, they all get the best care that I can give and if I don't kiss enough butt for the pt or family's liking, that is too bad. I've had some VIPs request a different nurse since I wasn't a butt kisser and I've had other VIPs happy to have a conscientious nurse that didn't kiss their butts.

I see more and more facilities with special VIP programs. The news is full of the bull that UTSW in Dallas is doing for VIPs. Of course that facility is also misusing the funds of a lot of those VIPs.

I don't care for VIP treatment. If everyone refused to give extra special VIP treatment, I bet our healthcare system would have been overhauled a long time ago.

Guitar_Heroine · Apr 28, 2008

It's funny because we recently had a traveling gov't official wheeled through the ED straight up to the floor for something your average Joe could have spent 8 hours waiting to get a bed for. Same thing with a hospital board member awhile back. It frustrates me because these are the people making decisions for the rest of us, while they don't have a clue what real life is like!

chadash · Apr 28, 2008

One of my family members has received the VIP treatment recently. I ain't got one dime to rub against the other, though, so it can't be that.

squeakykitty · Apr 28, 2008

I have never understood why anyone should get special treatment, especially at someone elses expense.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2008

I personally have the response of "all my patients are VIPs" whenever I'm told so and so is a doc's mom, or a board member, etc.....I give them good care, but I really never hear back on it, so I don't care....I'd rather give great care to the 98 yo on tube feedings and expected to pass vs. the 38 yo with slight abd pain.....

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2008

I recall back in the winter interviewing on a floor and being told the floor was getting ready to specalize----it was hoping to become a primarily VIP unit. Needless to say I turned that job down quickly.

chadash · Apr 28, 2008

I am all for VIP treatment: for all our patients!

I agree, it is really awful that status should come into play.

crb613, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2008

This happened recently at my hospital.....Charge calls...Dr so & so will be bringing his wife in, so have a room ready for her....Uh, no if her condition warrants it then she will come back if not she can go through triage & wait just like everyone else! She of course was brought back by the charge! Then Dr so & so tells our ER doc exactly what to order (tests, & drugs) she likes her meds! So now she will be admitted for her "migraine" :no:

Charge calls the floor....I need a private room now...do what you have to, but make it happen! How disgusting is that? I was rolling my eyes, blowing, & letting it be known that we had some SICK people in the waiting room! :hlk:

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 28, 2008

i HATE this topic. not cuz it was mentioned or anything, but just the entire thing. its ridiculous. we are there for every single dang patient, NOT for brown nosing; sucking up for anyone. i have fun in my job and treat every pt with the utmost (SP?) respect, confidentialy; fun; in the most caring; empathetic way i know how. i have had ppl tell me after a shift, mean nurses, that "oh, you know who that was dont you? i sure hope you did more for him/her". i could scream! i would rather NOT know who they are in that respect, because i dont want to get the looks from the other staff about anything like that!

man, make my blood boil thinking about past situations like this. its BS!! i would NOT expect that for myself if i was on a floor that i ever worked on, or hell, built if i had the money.

Great topic to talk about though! really!

-H-

its awesome to hear others opinions and sound-off's!! lol

diveRN · Apr 28, 2008

We actually have a Protocol for a specific VIP family. They give millions a year in endowments.

The protocol includes

- their own private nurse and PCP MD, even if MD doesn't have privileges

- a staff RN to wait on the private nurse (get meds from the pyxis, pharmacy, etc)

- immediate "no info" status to keep the media away

- a specific private room (the largest ICU room we have, which is an isolation room... even if they aren't 'ICU' patients)

- an open wireless Internet connection (we don't even get those as employees)

- private catering for pt and family (which the hospital arranges)

Flippin' ridiculous how the hospital bends over for these people.