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I have heard it, I have used it, and have never considered it offensive at all. That doesn't mean I would use it in general conversation outside of hand-off report, that would be silly.
For report, it's fast and to the point; it's just shorthand for "he walks, he talks, so no bedpans/foleys or communication issues".
I swear people can find offense in ANYTHING.
I tend to use a term that our infection control team use. Competent and continent. I use it in handover only, would never dream of saying to a pt face.
I think there is a lot of terms we don't use in front of patients. I don't see anything wrong with them either. I was just wondering because someone said something to me in another post.
I don't find it offensive. Even if I was a patient and I heard it used about me, I still wouldn't be offended. What's wrong with saying that I can walk and talk just fine? I'd be happy to be a walkie-talkie instead of a paralyzed patient, or a sedated ventilator patient... I don't get where the offense comes from.
ArrrrEnnn
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Have you heard the term Walkie talkie used towards a completely independent ambulatory patient? Do you find it offensive?