In hospital

[bakingbernie]

AIBU
I am in hospital, in my own room. Here for two weeks. Lung bug. Not Covid
The difference that is made by good and poor nursing staff can make or break my day.
Here is something I wrote an hour ago to illustrate this. Should I complain or am I expecting too much.
_
The difference a nurse makes_
She comes in, you sigh with relief, you can see her smiling eyes. She introduces herself. All protocols are followed, she does not rush. Slowly, methodically she goes through your drug administration, she explains, you feel confident. Your day starts well.

The door opens without warning, someone barks a question. He comes in, no gloves, no apron - he does not wash his hands. I do not know his name - he does my observations in an uncaring manner - I feel I have upset him - but I have never met him - he asks me about pain - he is the pain. He leaves as quickly as he came - the screen is left beeping - the blood pressure cuff inflates itself. My day is ruined - he is here for 12 hours.

My safety is compromised, we are in a pandemic. Who can I tell? I am an old moaning patient - - -.

Well you didn't mention being immunocompromised in your OP. Talk to the ward sister about your concerns.

Full PPE is no longer a requirement when doing routine treatment of patients on low risk pathways.

@KnottedFern
She says she has a lung bug whatever that refers to and she's in her own room in which case she could be in isolation. If so, he should have PPE to protect himself and his other patients. Its very unclear from her post though. Otherwise, I agree with you.

Had a delay between writing my post and pressing post so hadn't seen the previous 4 or 5 posts about being immunocompromised. Again, unclear from the OP.

Just wanted to say, to those suggesting it is somehow this patient's job to cheer up the nurse by, for example, smiling cheerily and asking about his day, i find that completely inappropriate. This person is ill and need ls treatment delivered with compassion and dignity. It is not her job to somehow make up for the stress involved in nursing. I've been on the end of unkind nursing and it is awful. In my view if the job stresses you out so much that you can't be polite, friendly and compassionate then you're in the wrong job!

@shivawn

Full PPE is no longer a requirement when doing routine treatment of patients on low risk pathways.

@KnottedFern
She says she has a lung bug whatever that refers to and she's in her own room in which case she could be in isolation. If so, he should have PPE to protect himself and his other patients. Its very unclear from her post though. Otherwise, I agree with you.

Yes 'a lung bug' isn't a medical term and could mean anything. A cold is a lung bug technically. There's lots of reasons people are in private rooms on wards though so not just because they are isolating. It could be the way the ward is set up, private wards, overcrowding, bays not available etc. In the OP's case it is because they are immunosuppressed though they didn't mention that till later on.

Bakingbernie, I understand . A patient in hospital whether child or adult is by definition entirely dependent upon the staff. Being served by any trusted clinician is unlike being served when you are in a fit state to be independent. You describe very well what it feels like to be psychologicvally dependdnt on people who are there to serve your needs.

Substandard behaviour of any nurse is probably due to substandard nurse education. You are not in a position to address that problem, so tell a seniour nurse the ward sister you feel unhappy that a nurse failed to wear a mask, or wash her hands, or speak to you gently.
You have the right to expfress your feelijgs to the charge nurse who has a duty of care regsrding your psche as well as your body.

Sorry everyone
I have drip fed information. I should have been clear from the start. If I could go back and change my original post I would.! And exclude the dramatics. Put it down to feeling sorry for myself - it happens!
The standard protocol across the whole ward is gloves, aprons and masks - then hand washing after removing PPE before leaving room.
I think on balance I will have a quiet word with a senior staff member. I have got matters into perspective.
Gosh you lot take no prisoners in speaking your minds!

I’m in camp CrappyFridays7.

And I hope your treatment is successful and you get home soon it must be shit being stuck in hospital at the moment.

I don't think substandard nursing education is the issue, I think some people are just miserable and don't enjoy nursing. I agree, it isn't on the patient to ask about the nurses day and cheer them up.

I don’t understand why people are being so probing and hurtful with the way they address you on here OP as I’m sure they would want theirmum/sister/nan/themselves treated with loving care by the first example nurse you provided info on. Of course you absolutely deserve care and I agree with the poster who said you should have a polite word voicing your concerns in a respectful way. I really hope you feel better soon. If you need company keep posting here and I will try to talk to you throughout the days to come, obviously around my schedule.

The dramatic poem style of writing is a bit OTT and strange, apart from that you should just make a complaint.

I was wrong to post something in that way, too emotional, but that's how I felt!

I think it was fine to express yourself that way. You were hardly writing a formal letter to the hospital.

A better day, a different outlook and as long as he hasn't infected me I will put it behind me

Well, even if he has infected you, you won't know yet, so you can choose to have a happy outlook whatever. What do you have access to? What are you able to do?

"Well, even if he has infected you, you won't know yet, so you can choose to have a happy outlook whatever. What do you have access to? What are you able to do?"

I have my phone (Mumsnet )tablet, kindle. I am perfectly content cycling through those. Films, reading, sudoku. In here for another week or so. I am normally cheerful, I had the bad night blues earlier.
However, every single person who has come into my room today (awake since 05.15) has been great!
.

I just spent a week in hospital and they had someone on our ward with covid so we all got moved and into siderooms on our own, I was already exceptionally nervous, I have an auto immune diasese and the heat really affects me the room was absolutely boiling, I was an emotional wreck, I was not allowed out because of covid risk, I hated absolutely every minute of it, luckily there were some lovely nurses.

@wherethewildthingis

Just wanted to say, to those suggesting it is somehow this patient's job to cheer up the nurse by, for example, smiling cheerily and asking about his day, i find that completely inappropriate. This person is ill and need ls treatment delivered with compassion and dignity. It is not her job to somehow make up for the stress involved in nursing. I've been on the end of unkind nursing and it is awful. In my view if the job stresses you out so much that you can't be polite, friendly and compassionate then you're in the wrong job!

I think this is a bit mean tbh.

Why wouldn't you greet someone with a smile and a cheerful demeanour? Would you get in a taxi and expect them to be lovely if you were sullen and didn't speak to them?

Would you go into a shop and not say hello with a smile to the shop assistant??

Why expect a nurse to be constantly happy and friendly without you behaving in the same way towards them?

Seriously they are under so much stress. What if he had just lost a patient? And was feeling incredibly down and sad. And that smile and friendly hello actually helped.

Some people just have zero compassion :(

You are right it makes such a difference how the staff treat you in hospital. I learned during my nurse training how important the 'little' things were like making a bed properly so your patient is comfortable. Due to the 'My name is...' campaign it has been highlighted how important it is to introduce yourself. I would ask to speak to the ward sister/charge nurse.

One thing though - was the 2nd example a nurse or an HCA? Nurses do the meds, HCAs usually do the obs and care rounds (asking about pain etc). HCAs sometimes have very little training which may explain some of what happened. Hope you feel better soon and are home as soon as possible.

SummerBreeze1980
He was a HCA. So did not do drugs, just routine observations. He did not speak, he did not introduce himself, he had just come on shift.
In my defence cricketmum84 I always smile, say good morning and thank you to everyone who comes in.

I think I would try and remember that they can be under a lot of pressure and might just have come from seeing something horrific like a child die etc and their mood is nothing to do with you, that's how I thought of it as an inpatient.

Adult nurses don't look after children! There is no excuse for rudeness or being abrupt.

I'm glad you've got stuff (and lovely stuff) to do. I would be worried about boredom and loneliness.

What's the food like? That's another thing that worries me about hospitals.

@KnottedFern we still have to wear gloves and aprons for all patient care.

He sounds like a grump. You get one every where.
Hope are well soon.

DavidtheDog
"What's the food like? That's another thing that worries me about hospitals."

I am fussy! And my appetite has disappeared. Good choice here though jacket potatoes, salads, veggie, sandwiches so there is no excuse really.

If you are in isolation there should be a notice on your door, he should wear ppe and clean the obs machine. Just speak to the nurse in charge, he may take criticism badly and get all stroppy so just say you dont want him looking after you. If the situation doesnt improve ask to speak to the site manager.

After countless admissions with my dd I totally understand how when stuck in a hospital room a friendly happy nurse makes your day so much nicer than an unfriendly one. With regards to PPE if just doing obs not actually necessary and could of washed hands just before entered room. Doesn't account for them not being friendly but unfortunately not all are.

Whilst I think all HCP should do their best to be kind, friendly and professional I don't think one negative experience with an HCA should write them off completely, people do have bad days and bad moments. And whilst it wasn't an ideal interaction, equally I think I would probably cut them a bit of slack. I think you are being a bit over dramatic with the whole post.

If you are unhappy with the PPE used, then a quiet word with the NIC is fine and appropriate.

I think the reason your post has got a few backs up is it is it comes across a bit accusatory to all nurses. You aren't writing about your negative experience with the HCA this morning, you are addressing all nurses with an over dramatic post saying 'look this is the effect you can have on patients'. You are writing a generalised post based off one negative expereince