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8 Things You Should Never Say to a Patient

Nina Kim, Georgia Price | NursingLink

August 05, 2009

2. “I can’t seem to find your records.”


Though being truthful with your patients is imperative, you also want to convey the utmost professionalism and the impression that they are receiving the best care possible. No patient likes to hear their records are missing, especially if they’re already in a physically vulnerable or painful situation.

This type of information is kept best to yourself and your staff, particularly because your patient has nothing to do with their missing records. Figure out where they went as quickly as possible and get on with the procedure, otherwise, you’re going to needlessly stress out your patient over a silly and easily preventable administrative hiccup.


Next Page: #3 “Whoops!” >>


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    beth8115

    over 2 years ago

    2 comments

    Yeah, it could always be worse. I had the worst when I had AF back in January in Vanderbilt University Hospital with a pulse of 250. I had to be defibrillated 3X and was unconscious for 2 weeks, but I never heard this comment.

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    kd_aman

    over 2 years ago

    72 comments

    "I doubt it's anything serious." I've heard that one before at work lots of times....I think even from Dr's!!!

  • Nurse_capfb_max50

    umapathy

    over 2 years ago

    180 comments

    the instinct can raise anything but professionalism should work at there

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    crash_n_bang99

    almost 3 years ago

    2 comments

    You always have a better perspective if you have unfortunately been a patient yourself..... When you are told in school to put yourself in the patients position, I think it is impossible for some people unless if they have experienced it

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    cxg174

    almost 3 years ago

    50 comments

    Unfortunately I think sometimes patients need to know thay you are not ignoring them but are actually very busy. I think it should be said in a nicer way though, such as "I am sorry it is taking so long, we have not forgotten you, we are just very busy at the moment and we will be there as soon as possible" or something like that.

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    harleyone

    almost 3 years ago

    10 comments

    And may I add one that drives me crazy. When Nurses are speaking to a pt why do they say "I need you to...."? Isn't the treatment about the pt? It's not about what I want/need/think etc. Just for perspective I'm an old ER RN. What I ask pt when giving an injection for example, "I have your pain medication, it goes in your butt/hip/right there (whatever is appropriate for pt understanding), which side do you want to roll onto or do you want to stand?"

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    ebradd

    almost 3 years ago

    18 comments

    that would scare me

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    mjohnson

    over 3 years ago

    18 comments

    I have found that honesty is the best policy. Every one has their own level of pain tolerance so never promise something that you are not 100% sure you can deliver on.

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    aidah

    over 3 years ago

    2 comments

    you know what you are absoulutely rightb but i here it all the time, no bed side maner.

    SLPN Gwen

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    leng

    over 3 years ago

    10176 comments

    some of them fall on therapeutic communication, still just needing some common sense=)

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    aspiringnurse

    almost 4 years ago

    10 comments

    Great tips. Thanks a lot

  • Photo_user_blank_big

    BimzRN

    almost 4 years ago

    2 comments

    This is great tips... I will always remember to NEVER Say those things to my patient... I enjoy this tips.

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    rantiegwim

    almost 4 years ago

    6 comments

    If finding your patient's record is taking time... what do you do? Do you go ahead with the procedure without it ??

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    rantiegwim

    almost 4 years ago

    6 comments

    Its a good reminder to nurses.

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    CherylF

    almost 4 years ago

    236 comments

    All good advice and all things we should have learned at the beginning of nursing school but sometimes forget

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