Work ALLOWS Patient Favoritism

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Pediatrics, Corrections.

Hello Everyone!

Just wanted to share/rant what happened to me at work yesterday.

Well, I've always been told by my nurses I work with (I work in a Peds clinic) that if any of the CEO's grandchildren call to come in. You bend over backward to get them in. No matter who else you turn away, no matter how full we are, you get them in. Annoying but whatever.

Well yesterday I got a call saying that one of the CEO's grandchildren needed to be seen. Well, we were totally booked and my doctor was gone all morning at a C-Section. I got them in as soon as I could in the afternoon. Well an hour later, my doctor got back WAY earlier than I had anticipated. I was relieved because I had patients ready for him to see.

One of my co-workers CHEWED MY BUTT "You should have called 'CEO's grandson' back and told him that there was an earlier appointment." I told her, "I got them in as soon as possible, how was I supposed to know Dr. SoSo would be back so soon?" She replied, "It doesn't matter. You do WHATEVER they tell you. You should have double booked another doctor. It all runs downhill. Now the CEO is going to complain and our managers are going to come down on us."

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I treated him just as I would any other patient. That is what I was taught. I do not show favoritism. I turn away very sick children so we can see the CEO's grandson with a simple paper cut on his finger. I wouldn't have called any other patients and told them my doc was back. I hate these politics. :no:

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.

That's ridiculous!

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Specializes in hospice.

Yuck. My employer is non-profit and sometimes in report we'll be told someone is a VIP (i.e. friend of one of the big muckety-mucks or family with money who might donate a lot). Frankly, I let that go in one ear and out the other. Patients with fewer resources don't deserve any less care or attention and I treat all my patients equally.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I live in a city where a social circle of old money families coexist in an extremely wealthy enclave (Westover Hills) located not too far from blighted neighborhoods that have extremely poor residents and criminal activity.

Anyhow, our marketers and managerial personnel notify the staff whenever a so-called 'VIP' patient is being admitted. However, no one's a VIP to me. All our patients are important to the hospital's solvency.

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I remember having VIPs at a former job. When told about one, it would take all of my self control to fight the urge to roll my eyes.

All of my patients are Very Important People, thank you very much.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

It stinks, but it is just part of the job. In the ER, if we get word a board member, prominent physician, family of the CNO, etc., is coming in--well, the red carpet is rolled out, and they get back right away no matter how busy we are. I agree in principle that they are no more important than any other patient. However, I also need a job and a paycheck. Those individuals have some influence as to whether or not I have said job. No, I don't like putting them first, but it's the way it goes. :down:

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Sometimes, it also helps to remember that if the VIP is treated properly, he/she will make a donation or do something else that will benefit the less fortunate patients. Sometimes, it is worth a little extra effort to "market" your service so that ALL the patients get better care in the future.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I worked at an ED where a VIP donated 3.7 million dollars because his wife...before she died...felt the place needed a facelift.

On the flip side of the coin I got my tail reamed out when a VIP (the CNO) came into the waiting room with chest pain (gallbladder attack after a big fat Mexican meal). I had no idea who she was I was a new employee and she never darkened the door in orientation. Never met the woman. I had an open forearm fracture that walked in right before her and I kept triaging and treating the open fracture (with CSM compromise) and took it to the main ED. When I came out the "chest pain was gone. She was in her car complaining that I was incompetent.

Whatever....:rolleyes:

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

Wow I hate that kind of thing too. Sometimes, especially for those less fortunate the hospital is the ONLY time they got VIP treatment. I rather make someone feel special that isn't used to it.

I have had that VIP pt with their little remarks saying, "my son signs your paycheck."

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Sometimes, it also helps to remember that if the VIP is treated properly, he/she will make a donation or do something else that will benefit the less fortunate patients. Sometimes, it is worth a little extra effort to "market" your service so that ALL the patients get better care in the future.

I personally consider VIP treatment medically unethical. Fortunately, I work at a facility that used to practice such nonsense but does no longer. In my opinion, another reason why private insurance should be a abolished and health care and hospitals mostly government funded.

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Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.

Worked in various hospitals in Los Angeles and I saw this ALL OF THE TIME! We would be forced to hold Mr/Mrs Poornobody in the PACU for hours, but have the ability to whisk away Mr/Mrs Richimportant to their room, immediately.

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HMM.. I smell conflict of interest here. Please report this to your compliance officer.

Good luck, let us know how it's going.

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