AIBU to complain/flag up an issue with another patient

[lyralalala]

This has been playing on my mind for a bit

My FIL died recently. He spent 16 days in intensive care before he died. His care there was a real split of absolutely amazing and dire, depending on the staff on duty

There was a lady in the bed opposite him (there was 6 beds in the unit - 3 on one side and 3 opposite) and consistently she only had a sheet pulled to her waist. As she was propped up a bit this meant her chest was exposed

Now only she and FIL's beds were at the end so only FIL's visitors really seen her when they turned to leave his bed, but she could be seen by the other visitors as well if they glanced around the room

It bothered me at the time. The first time I just assumed staff were doing something with/for her and that's why, but it happened often. There was so much going on with FIL at the time (we received 'come up now' calls 6 times) that it only occurred to me yesterday that the lady had no visitors. Not on any occasion I was there, and I was there at at least one visiting session per day (there were two)

We had to push staff several times with regard to FIL's basic care, and because they talked so openly I know that lady had been there for quite a while and now I'm thinking if she has no-one to speak up for her then there's no-one to say that surely, for her dignity, her sheet or blanket should be pulled up. Or if it can't be the curtain should be pulled at visiting time?

Would PALS even entertain a comment about a patient from a non-family member?

Actually, now that I've written it down I'm going to call PALS this morning

There might be a reason for it, but I can't think it's normal to have a patient exposed to everyone's visitors

I should have done it at the time. Sorry, shortest thread ever!

Definitely get in touch with PALS, staff should be doing their best to maintain patient dignity at all times. It is not acceptable that she was exposed at all IMO. Poor woman

So was she completely topless do you mean? Boobs exposed? If so yes definitely complain.

Or just not tucked in properly?

That’s appalling. Definitely complain.

Yes you are right to report this, that is appalling, no matter how busy you are dignity should be protected. The ITU staff have a duty of care almost more than in other areas as, often these patients cannot advocate for themselves so, the nurses role under NMC guidelines is to ensure the nurses do this. I am an NHS nurse and am so passionate about protecting patient's dignity. Please do report this.

Sorry OP I meant to offer my condolences for the loss of your fil.

I spoke to pals this morning. The person I spoke with seemed quite shocked and asked several times if I was sure it wasn't a one off

I've put things in writing via email, including dates of 4 occasions that I can specifically remember (because of other things that happened), and also included some information about the lady so they know exactly who I meant (this will also highlight to them the lack of discretion a few of the staff have!)

I feel rotten that I didn't do it at the time. It just didn't occur to me that she had no visitors. I don't even know why it popped into my head when it did

You’ve done the right thing

Dont beat yourself up. At the time, you had enough on your plate.
Being honest, most people wouldn't give this a second thought after their own tragedy. But you are. You've nothing to feel rotten about because you've remembered and you've acted; which is a lot more than a lot of people would do. Well done.

You have done the right thing now. Your FIL was at the for front of your mind at the time

You’ve done the right thing OP and shown great care for a stranger - you demonstrate that there is good in the world