Can I, as a nurse, accept a patient’s questioning of procedure? Can I accept suggestions from patients? How about constructive criticism?
A few months ago, I learned a classmate from nursing school has co-authored a book that aims to encourage people to take more responsibility for their medical care. The goal is to reduce numbers of medical errors and mishaps.
The book is chock full of information that is specific to a variety of medical situations. The authors lay out simple tips for entering the mysterious world of medicine armed and ready: what to read ahead of time, what to take with you, what to look for, what questions to ask. One tip is that a patient should ask his caregivers if they have washed their hands.
Now, I know that good hand hygiene is the first line of defense in preventing infection, but would I get my hackles up if a patient asked if I’d washed my hands? I don’t think a patient has ever asked me that question, so I have no experience in testing my hackles. But, I’d better start cramming for the test because my friend, the author, encourages her readers to do just that—ask, ask, ask.
I think, “Have you washed your hands?” is a perfectly valid question. I suppose I could forget to suds up between patients so what’s the harm in a reminder? And, no, I don’t find the idea of a patient’s asking the question offensive or annoying.
I do get a little nervous, though, when I think of the reaction certain doctors might have to being asked that question by a patient.
What are your thoughts?
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Patients Want to Know, Did You Wash Your Hands?
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2 comments:
It's a yes or no response.
It seems the real question you are asking is "Can a patient dare consider themselves of equal status to the health care provider? Somewhere in the ever evolving medical industry there is a certain measure of collaboration; a place where the health care worker is not perceived as a subservant role and the client is not perceived as a dependent. I am not familiar with the text that you describe, but I hope the author offered a collection of potential answers, both acceptable and unacceptable with the rationale for all responses. This would be beneficial information for both the client and provider.
ie: client "Have you washed your hands?"
provider: "Yes, I have, thanks for asking"
or..."not yet, but it is the first thing I do when I enter the room"
Rationale:
This response lets the client know they can communicate freely and opens the channels for expedient dialogue.
Wrong response: "Of course I did! translates to:"Don't ever question me about how I perform my job"
This negates the clients basic rights as a person and creates a closed communication system.
This scenario demonstrates the real dilemma of possible defensiveness the client may have towards healthcare providers in general (publicity of morbidity and mortality/transmission of infective agents in the hospitals)and/or experience with health care providers who have not been open in their communication styles.
I can honestly state as a client I have experienced closed-styled providers (albeit not for long) and as a health care provider (nurse) I have dealt with clients who enter the experience predisposed antagonists. Every situation has varying themes of interdependence going on -
which is a large part of the challenge in all human interactive situations.
My hope is that the author also included educating the general public on the reality of danger, difficulty and responsibilites that providing health care entails to promote understanding and improve the communication process.
I appreciate your intelligent take on this issue. Your points are valid and helpful. I'll be sure to pass this link along to the author so that she has the benefit of your view and advice. I especially like your suggested responses to questions patients might ask regarding handwashing.
Glenna
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