Resources >> Browse Articles >> On the Job

6 Ways Nurses Can Solve Patient Care Problems

Volume Control

Problem:

If you’ve worked in a hospital with semi-private or ward rooms, you know this one well. While many times, people co-exist peacefully in semi-private rooms, there are times when the match just doesn’t work.

Inconsiderate patients may talk on the phone loudly and/or late at night. They may have rowdy visitors, turn up the volume on the television, or eat smelly, nauseating foods that make the neighbor ill. Or, the disturbance may be unintentional: a patient moaning because of discomfort, pain, or dementia, a noisy suction machine, or even snoring. These are all things that can keep a roommate from getting the rest that he needs, making his hospital stay even more of a trial than it already is.

Solution:

The first step to resolve this type of conflict is to speak to the offending patient. Sometimes, a quiet word with the noise maker has the desired effect. While he may not stop all the disturbing behavior, if there is a compromise, the complaining patient may be able to cope.

If speaking with the disruptive patient gets you nowhere, consider moving one of them to another room. Perhaps if Admitting knows of the roommate mismatch, one of the patients may be moved into the next empty bed on your floor, or another unit altogether.

Sometimes the situation can’t be resolved so simply. In that case, just listening to the patient’s complaints, and acknowledging the uncomfortable situation makes a tremendous difference.