Hospital Staff Misconduct: Personal Experiences and Insights
Have you, or someone close to you, ever faced unwarranted treatment from hospital staff? Experiencing mistreatment during what is supposed to be a time of healing can lead to immense stress and frustration. In this article, I will share my personal experiences of encountering poorly trained or disrespectful hospital staff and discuss the importance of addressing such behavior.
Personal Experience: A Blistering Incident at the Hospital
Conditions including Interstitial Cystitis and chronic pain due to this condition require strict management. Over a period of thirty years, my pain regimen included opioids for continuous management and other medications to handle breakthrough pain. Despite the pain, I managed to avoid using the breakthrough medications regularly. But during a stay in a hospital that involved a bladder removal surgery, I witnessed an alarming incident.
As I lay in my hospital bed, a nurse entered the room and noticed several unused breakthrough pain medications on my bedside table. Instead of acknowledging the situation, she reacted violently, grabbing the cup and throwing the pills on the floor, shouting 'hoarding'. This outburst, not only targeted me but indirectly belittled the fact that chronic pain patients sometimes rely on medications sporadically. The incident left both my roommate and me stunned as we could not comprehend the rationale behind her actions.
More Personal Insights: Coping with Chronic Pain and Neurological Conditions
My oldest son was treated for neuroblastoma as an infant, and both my sons developed Crohn’s disease during their teenage years. Consequently, we spent a considerable amount of time in the hospital. It's heartwarming to note that during these stays, hospital staff treated us with kindness and respect. They took their responsibility seriously and provided us with the necessary care.
Handling Disrespectful Behavior in Healthcare Settings
The medical profession thrives on the value of healthcare professionals recognizing and respecting patient rights. However, there are situations where these rights are ignored or violated. In my experience, I have had to 'fire' a number of unprofessional and disrespectful nurses who disregarded patient needs and comfort. My stance is firm: as the patient, you are not choosing to be there; therefore, you deserve to be treated with courtesy and respect.
One such instance involved a head of pediatrics who was directly involved in poor infant care. Here, a child was being fed by someone who positioned the baby on their back, leading to discomfort and gas accumulation. Resulting in the baby squirming, the caregiver simply put the baby back in the crib without burping, leading to an episode of vomiting and possibly choking. The severity of this incident led to a heated argument with the head of pediatrics. My tone was aggressive and my resolve unyielding. My assertion focused on the urgent need for care and respect, highlighting the professional standards that should guide such situations.
Consequences and Moving Forward
Unfortunately, I did not report the incident concerning the nurse who aggressively removed the medications from my bedside table. Owing to numerous unresolved issues and the close proximity to a life-threatening condition, I was too preoccupied to elevate the matter.
On the contrary, my confrontations did lead to positive outcomes. For instance, with the head of pediatrics, my strong stance resulted in immediate improvements in how my child's care was handled. The moment this nurse was identified as irresponsible, she was immediately removed from further involvement.
While the experience was undoubtedly distressing, it underscored the importance of addressing such incidents promptly. Reporting and documenting such instances is crucial to preventing further harm and ensuring that patient rights are respected.
Conclusion: Advocating for Change
Personal encounters with mistreatment in healthcare settings serve as reminders that patients must assert their rights and advocate for respectful and ethical treatment. Hospital staff, who are often the first point of contact for patients, must be trained to recognize and respect these rights. Reporting such incidents can lead to institutional changes and better care for all patients.