I just need to vent and am looking for some input! I had an angry patient this am who was only in the er to get another work excuse---at least this is what I could submise(?) from him anyway, he wasn't very forthcoming with any answers and rolled his eyes alot! He had been in the ER 3 days earlier and was currently being treated, he stated he couldn't work and wasn't better(VSS, etc). Asked him to please get into a gown(short off only) and md would be in to examine him(MD on requires pt to be in gown or he doesn't go in). This pt grabbed the gown out of my hands quite abruptly put it on OVER his clothes and started swearing at me. I remained calm and told him to stop yelling at me, continued with explaining why he needed the gown on, blah, blah, blah, needless to say this pt kept on and on. I began to walk away but the volatile beast within me let a comment slide that I shouldn't have..................................as I pulled the curtain, I said "You know sir, I wouldn't come to your place of employment and treat you like that". What was I thinking---at least I wasn't rude or snotty about it! The doc that was on said I handled the situation very well. The pt eventually left without being seen-----I told my director as LWBS are automatic call backs! Now I wonder, what "punishment" is coming my way? What do you guys think???????/
i've personally said things like, "hey, you came in to us to get help....so until you're able to talk to me and the staff in a more appropriate manner, you're just going to sit there." obviously it wasn't a life or death situation for that patient, or the one you were dealing with....but it's uncalled for. of course statements like that are not my first choice, either. i'll start with asking what is making him frustrated, or that i understand he's frustrated and ask what i can do to help. i'll ask him politely to calm down....and basically try everything before getting to that point. however, once i'm there....they need to straighten up their act if they want help. we are perfectly in our rights to do so. just make sure to chart everything that the pt. said, and everything you offered or replied in return. i've had doctors do the same thing....refuse to talk to a patient until they are being appropriate with the staff. it works like a charm. they either leave because they aren't getting what they wanted, or they calm down and apologize. but like i said....CHART EVERYTHING. those cases are always cases that could go to court....people these days like to sue all too often. but if everything is charted, you're covered.
What was I thinking---at least I wasn't rude or snotty about it! The doc that was on said I handled the situation very well. The pt eventually left without being seen-----I told my director as LWBS are automatic call backs! Now I wonder, what "punishment" is coming my way? What do you guys think???????/
ERjodiRN
90 Posts
i've personally said things like, "hey, you came in to us to get help....so until you're able to talk to me and the staff in a more appropriate manner, you're just going to sit there." obviously it wasn't a life or death situation for that patient, or the one you were dealing with....but it's uncalled for. of course statements like that are not my first choice, either. i'll start with asking what is making him frustrated, or that i understand he's frustrated and ask what i can do to help. i'll ask him politely to calm down....and basically try everything before getting to that point. however, once i'm there....they need to straighten up their act if they want help. we are perfectly in our rights to do so. just make sure to chart everything that the pt. said, and everything you offered or replied in return. i've had doctors do the same thing....refuse to talk to a patient until they are being appropriate with the staff. it works like a charm. they either leave because they aren't getting what they wanted, or they calm down and apologize. but like i said....CHART EVERYTHING. those cases are always cases that could go to court....people these days like to sue all too often. but if everything is charted, you're covered.