Visiting a former pt after they've been moved to another facility

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Specializes in progressive care telemetry.

specifically inpt hospice. Long story short I got kind of attached to a pt over the course of several admissions in the past 9 months. Said pt was d/c'ed recently to inpt hospice, still a&o. I'd like to visit, but am wondering if there is anything I should be aware of legally, ethically, etc. before doing so.

Thanks!

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Specializes in CCU.

My brother was in hospice last christmas. At the same time, I had a patient who was admitted just down the hall. I went to visit him and his family while my brother was there...thus, comfortably coordinating visits, but, I also went back to visit during the week after my brother passed away...so solely to visit this pt and his family. The family had asked me to come by...I think that is important that they initiated the request so I knew I wasn't imposing but if they had not I would have let them know I would be willing to come by if they would like me to. I would do what you are comfortable with and most importantly what is in your heart. Oh, and just be sensitive to the fact that you are 'visiting' not nursing, as the latter could have implications. If nursing is required just defer to the staff.

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Specializes in Orthopaedic Nursing; Geriatrics.

I've done that. I don't think there is anything wrong, In fact, it made my patient very happy to see a face from "home".

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Specializes in Hospice, Med-Surg.

Patients and families are usually honored that you would make the effort to visit. It adds value to their loved one. You probably wouldn't have been drawn to visit if it were a patient or family that would probably rather you didn't visit.

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Specializes in Home health was tops, 2nd was L&D.

I have done that and families and patients seem really happy. AS I have done HH, alot of my patients had my phone number from caller ID, and sometimes like near Christmas i will get 3 or 4 calls from past patients..Sometimes I can not place them but I always say how much I appreciate them thinking of me.. I always want to say "Did you put my name on the survey the company sent you?" But I never say that just think it!!

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I don't see anything wrong with this. I have had patients who have previous caretakers from other facilities visit. Please, do not come in scrubs, introduce your self by name to the nurse, and do not ask personal medical questions of the staff if you are not the POA in other words, as another poster said, visit as a visitor, not a nurse.

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Specializes in Med Office, Home Health, School Nurse.

As the other posters have mentioned, as long as you are able to be just a visitor, it would more than likely be welcomed. But you have to separate the nurse part of yourself during the visit, because you could likely get into trouble if you are unable to do that.

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Specializes in progressive care telemetry.

Thank you all for the responses. Sadly it is a moot point, I discovered my pt died over the weekend. :crying2: RIP, you will be missed by many.

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