Ethics question

@ladydocisin, I just checked out that case and it's very interesting, thanks for the information. A similar incident happened with Brittany Spears. Just Google "Medical staff fired for looking at Brittany Spears' medical records."

The truth is, if you want SECURE medical records, THEY SHOULD BE ON PAPER.

The truth is, if you want SECURE medical records, THEY SHOULD BE ON PAPER.

That's so true here in the UK as well Susie.

National Health Service patients keep getting requests for permission to put their health records on a national database. The supposed benefit is that, in the event of needing emergency treatment, their electronically filed records will be available anywhere in the UK to whoever is treating them.

However, virtually every month there is a scandal where discs, memory sticks and hard drives are lost (left on a train etc), stolen or hacked. It happens too with other sensitive information such as Social Security records.

Of course it would be desirable if an ER doctor had access to information about the patient but that has to be balanced against the privacy and other issues. It can be solved by full time wearing of what is called an SOS bracelet or pendant containing (on a 15 page paper strip) everything about them that is vital. It's available right where the patient is, even at the roadside or other non medical location and you won't get mixed up with another John Smith, assuming that you were even conscious enough to state your name. Check them out at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ladies-Talisman-Stainless-Steel-Bracelet/dp/B003B31WAK

I guess too I'd like an ER doctor to be more concerned with my arm hanging off than searching for a computer and a password!

Actually BigK, you bring up an excellent point. I wear an engraved USB drive on a chain around my neck. On the drive I keep all my pertinent identifying information, a list of all my surgical procedures and when they were performed, my medical history, a list of all my doctors, my current medications and sensitivities, my advance medical directive and medical power of attorney. All the documents are in PDF form so they can be accessed on any computer. If I'm ever unable to communicate, all medical personnel has to do is plug that drive into a port and voila!

I hope it's never needed but I feel better having it.

I carry a card in my billfold the "Ice Medical ID" card. The card contains My Emergency Medical Information. Just slip the card into any USB drive, and any medical person can bring up all my medical info, such as medicines, doctors, surgeries, insurance, allergies, ect. The card can be bought at any CVS store for about 20 dollars.

"Was that inappropriate? "

Yes, but it also happens once in a while. People are people. I think it happens less as nurses get older and more used to stuff.

Brad,

Sorry I have not responded sooner, but I have been one of the lucky ones to be caught in the middle of the great storm of 2012 and have not had any electric until yesterday late, then no internet, go figure, lol. And as always, I am always more than happy to answer any question you might have or want to ask me concerning just about anything. If I find it too personal I will either answer you privately or I will tell you privately that it is too personal. But as far as ethics go, it's a pretty open subject.

Now I believe you asked me if it was okay for a nurse to date a patient after they have been discharged, I am assuming from a hospital. Here is what I believe is correct, however, I am not sure on what the exact law is.

Nurses have family members that come to see the doctors they work for all the time, so I am guessing that it's okay, but I am guessing probably not okay for them to be in the room providing actual care to them as a patient.

Nurses have family members that come into the hospital all the time that are dating them or they are married to and that is okay, again, I am guessing they just are not allowed to provided hands on treatment to them.

As far as meeting a person in the hospital or in a doctors office and meeting them out on the street at a later time and the patient asks the nurse out, I honestly don't thing there is anything wrong with that either.

However, I do know that when I have worked in a long term care facility per facility policy nurses are not allowed to date the patients while they are still patients there, but I have known a few who have dated them after they have left. Nothing was ever said, so I am assuming it's okay.

I hope this helps, lol.

Mashie

I think its unprofessional but i think if the guy heared it, he would be flatterd.

But what about the other way?

What if it was a male nurse talking about a female patient in that way?

I cant really say why, but i find it worse.

Lieke,

that's the point. it shouldn't be worse for male nurses talking about a female patient. the reason why you think it's worse is because you seem to hold men and women to different standards. That is the textbook definition of a double standard and the point was that it occurs. How do you know he would be flattered? That's also the point, you're incorrectly assuming, based on antiquated gender stereotypes, that guys always want to be found attractive by women and even by nurses when they're patients in a hospital.

Hey Mashie,

Welcome back! It helps it's pretty much what I would have expected.

B