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 - - -.

[quote Toddlerteaplease]@KnottedFern we still have to wear gloves and aprons for all patient care. [/quote]
That's right. That's always been the case. The OP wasn't receiving personal care.

Why are people being mean to you?

It's absolutely valid to be concerned about poor hygiene in HCA or nursing staff. There are lots of other infections apart from Covid and you have every right to be protected from these as far as possible, particularly if you're at sufficient risk from infection to have been put on the shielding list and obviously you're unwell with pneumonia or a serious lung infection (people not understanding 'lung bug' are presumably just trying to be difficult?).

In hospital you are in a vulnerable position and the HCA knows that- he should treat you with respect and follow protocols. It's difficult to know whether to complain or not really because you don't want it to affect your treatment.

OrangeSharked

I think the reason your post has got a few backs up is it is it comes across a bit accusatory to all nurses.

Absolutely not - nowhere have I said that. This is about the difference one person can make to a whole day. I have described one incident, he came into my room on 9 separate occasions. However, that one contact can affect your mood, your safety and potentially your recovery.

@KnottedFern @Toddlerteaplease said patient care not personal care.

We also have to wear mask gloves and apron for all patient care. Anything that involves touching a patient we wear gloves mask and apron. It’s very hot just now here too so very sweaty and uncomfortable no air in wards and no Fans allowed either.

I didn’t feel op post targeted all nurses, I felt she was having a tough time, feeling unwell, no visitors, in a room alone for majority of the day. Would you want someone to come in and touch you without hand washing at the very least?....never mind lack of introduction or talking to op? Very rude, how do you put someone at ease whilst doing obs or personal and not talk to them, tell them what you’re doing or just be kind as not every one wants to talk. I hope the rest of your stay is improved op, you could speak to pals if you feel you can’t speak to someone senior or even a staff nurse you like?..

@Crappyfridays7 Great. That's doesn't change the guidance from PHE which is what I referenced in my first post.

@cricketmum84

Come on! If you're in the hospital with a very minor issue and are feeling fine you may have the emotional energy to try and cheer up the nurses. However lots of people in hospital are unwell and scared. They're in a hugely vulnerable position and it is absolutely not their responsibility to provide emotional support to the people who are supposed to be caring for them.

My mum was a doctor and absolutely considered it part of her responsibility to provide reassurance and care to her patients.

"Come on! If you're in the hospital with a very minor issue and are feeling fine "

Do we actually know that?

@HarrietPierce What do you mean? Did you not read the rest of the comment? It was a hypothetical scenario. Yes some people are in hospital with minor ailments. I do know that to be true. OP doesn't sound like she has a minor ailment and lots of people are in hospital seriously unwell (as I said in my comment).

inTheDrunkTank Sorry, I must have had a senior moment and took it you were referring to the OP !

@HarrietPierce

inTheDrunkTank Sorry, I must have had a senior moment and took it you were referring to the OP !

I was confused too. I haven't got Covid and am not at deaths door but I would not describe my hospitalisation as a minor illness!

@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!

Precisely this. In every customer facing job you swallow your pride and smile no matter how you feel. I've also been on the receiving end of grumpy, uncaring nurses. Indifference can affect you quite badly when you're vulnerable.