Walkie Talkie

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Have you heard the term Walkie talkie used towards a completely independent ambulatory patient? Do you find it offensive?

I said earlier that it was tacky and lacked professionalism when using any kind of label, for example....that patient is a frequent flier, a non compliant, what ever other labels people want to patients they're tacky.

That is putting our self formed opinions on people. It is not what your taught in school. It's not professional.

http://slang.uoregon.edu/pub_search.lasso?&RecordIDNumber=13263&Process=detail01

That's weird. University of Oregon must not know that.

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We heard all kinds of ambulation terms in school. Walkie Talkie, wanderer, etc. I don't think Walkie talkie is anymore offensive than wanderer and they even have a product called a wander guard in the LTC I'm at. That we put on patients and tell them they are called a wander guard.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
We heard all kinds of ambulation terms in school. Walkie Talkie, wanderer, etc. I don't think Walkie talkie is anymore offensive than wanderer and they even have a product called a wander guard in the LTC I'm at. That we put on patients and tell them they are called a wander guard.

I had a pt who overheard the term about 10 years ago; they found it borderline offensive, more uncomfortable, but they took it in jest eventually.

I don't use it to describe a pt, and haven't heard the term in over ten years, until you posted it in that thread; most places in my area probably find it "not best practice" to use that term anymore. *shrugs*

If a pt ambulates, and/or AAOx3, that's what I say; I don't think to call them a "communication instrument". ;)

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Now a "walking taco" might be offensive..then again..I am just hungry ?

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I haven't read all the posts, but I'm pretty sure I am responsible for coining the term over 22 years ago.

Ha!

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That's weird. University of Oregon must not know that.

Some people need to grow a thicker skin if they get offended by "walkie talkie". I wonder if those same people use the term "frequent flyer" or "drug seeker".

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Specializes in OB.
I said earlier that it was tacky and lacked professionalism when using any kind of label, for example....that patient is a frequent flier, a non compliant, what ever other labels people want to patients they're tacky.

That is putting our self formed opinions on people. It is not what your taught in school. It's not professional.

I'm confused as to how stating that the patient can walk and talk is an opinion?

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Specializes in NICU.
I said earlier that it was tacky and lacked professionalism when using any kind of label, for example....that patient is a frequent flier, a non compliant, what ever other labels people want to patients they're tacky.

That is putting our self formed opinions on people. It is not what your taught in school. It's not professional.

I'm also confused as to how 'non compliant' is putting a self formed opinion on people. They either are or are not compliant with care. They may have a good reason, or simply not understand what or why something is ordered, but that doesn't change that they are non compliant.

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Specializes in ICU.

I use "instant reply" admission, frequent flyer, in addition to walkie-talkie. I say "buff and puff" for bath, "tips and lips" for TPN and lipids, "altitude vigil" for weaning vents, and many more. We have already discussed calling patients by pet names, like honey, sugar, etc., and the use of honorifics like Mr., Ms. Mrs. Maybe someday we will all be generic, or replaced by robots who all think and act the same. Of course, someone would still find something offensive about it.

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I personally prefer my pts gorked,and a crusher flusher over a walkie talkie any day

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Specializes in dementia/LTC.

In northern mn I've never heard the term walkie talkie until I saw it on this site. We just say independent. We do use terms like feeder or total.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Some people are easily offended.

Describing a person as a walkie talkie is not a judgement, it is an observation.

bah

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