What is the most appropriate thing to do if you know a patient in the ER?

[Gauss44]

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Just wondering what everyone thinks an ER volunteer should do if they know or are acquainted with a patient? Avoid them? Check on them?

My opinion is that it probably depends on the relationship. In most cases, I would avoid the person and their information entirely so it doesn't seem awkward, and more importantly, so that if word gets out about something related to treatment no one will assume that I was responsible. In some cases though, if it was a really good friend of mine who was conscious, I would ask what they would like, time alone, my company, or help with anything. I might still let them know that I will not access any files in case the reason is super personal and I am not aware. How about you?

 

[sharpstickie]

While volunteering at the ER I would run into people that I knew and would treat them like I would most patients. Most people understand that you can't give them special treatment and let you continue through your shift without taking up your time.

 

[piii]

You're supposed to peak around the corner and stare at them, and when they catch you, you quickly retreat and every time you see them again you deny that you were even there that day or that you keep following them around, watching their every movement, waiting...

 

[Goro]

With psych cases you act as if you don't know the person.

Just wondering what everyone thinks an ER volunteer should do if they know or are acquainted with a patient? Avoid them? Check on them?

My opinion is that it probably depends on the relationship. In most cases, I would avoid the person and their information entirely so it doesn't seem awkward, and more importantly, so that if word gets out about something related to treatment no one will assume that I was responsible. In some cases though, if it was a really good friend of mine who was conscious, I would ask what they would like, time alone, my company, or help with anything. I might still let them know that I will not access any files in case the reason is super personal and I am not aware. How about you?

 

[bararaboi]

I was volunteering once and saw my college advisor in the hospital room I was rounding in. I gave an extra-warm "hello" and and other than that, did my usual business; tried to make the situation as normal as possible. I never made mention of it in my later annual advising appointments and I think thats the way to go.

 

[Premedgirl27]

The people who trained me for my ED volunteering position instructed the volunteers to treat the patients that you know as strangers and treat them as you would any other patient, unless they acknowledge you first. At which point you can acknowledge them as a friend or acquaintance and talk to them, see how they are doing etc, but that is it. As probably know, you cannot contact their family or anything even if they are your best friend.

They had a situation where a volunteer's friend was admitted into the ED, and the volunteer took the initiative to call their friend's family and misconstrue information which caused drama.

So that was their recommendation.


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[Cinclus]

With psych cases you act as if you don't know the person.

This is what I did. Back when I volunteered, someone I knew came in with suicidal ideation/attempt (I can't remember for sure which). I didn't even go near the room. With other people who knew me, I wouldn't hide, but I would let them initiate any "hey, I know you"-type conversations.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Depends how well I would know them.
Really well- Explain that I won't treat them any differently due to our relationship and that their medical information is very strictly private. If they wanted someone else to care for them that would be fine.
Not really well- Probably just act like I don't know them

 

[osckey]

With psych cases you act as if you don't know the person.

As in gaslighting style?

Brutal.

 

[Goro]

Something like that. I remember reading once that a psychiatrist should not acknowledge knowing any of his/her patients in public, because you don't want someone with the patient asking "so, how do you know a psychiatrist?"

Another person described it a what a gentleman does when he sees a person he knows to be married, with woman not his wife. He keeps his mouth shut.

As in gaslighting style?

Brutal.

 

[kmp0410]

When I was a volunteer it was my understanding that according to HIPPA you were not to act like you knew them unless they made they did so first.

 

[Almighty Saguaro]

Not to hijack this thread, but, what if you are a member of the clinical team (ie a medical student, resident, etc not just a volunteer). Are there certain instances where you would request to be taken off the case even though the patient says he/she is OK with it?

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[Almighty Saguaro]

IMHO, if it is a situation that you may face as a practicing physician, where you must deal with the patient, then you should learn to deal with it as a medical student or resident. It would not be a basis to request removal

Why would you have to deal with the patient as an attending (or as a trainee)?
I mean, if, as an attending, you feel there might be some conflict of interest, would that not be reasonable grounds to refer the patient elsewhere or have another of your colleagues deal with the patient?

Not trying to be argumentative here, just in case it comes off as such.. I'm just trying to understand how to deal with this.

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[Bones 2020]

The people who trained me for my ED volunteering position instructed the volunteers to treat the patients that you know as strangers and treat them as you would any other patient, unless they acknowledge you first. At which point you can acknowledge them as a friend or acquaintance and talk to them, see how they are doing etc, but that is it. As probably know, you cannot contact their family or anything even if they are your best friend.

This is how I was trained as a volunteer with a college food pantry. Do not acknowledge you know them until they acknowledge you first.

 

[hmockingbird]

Why would you have to deal with the patient as an attending (or as a trainee)?
I mean, if, as an attending, you feel there might be some conflict of interest, would that not be reasonable grounds to refer the patient elsewhere or have another of your colleagues deal with the patient?

Not trying to be argumentative here, just in case it comes off as such.. I'm just trying to understand how to deal with this.

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If there's someone else available and you feel that the relationship you have with the person would get in the way of being able to provide objective care, it's acceptable and probably preferable that you ask someone else to take the case. For example, doctors are often advised not to treat their children or spouse. Sure, you shouldn't freak out every time you have to treat an acquaintance, but there's a middle ground here - everyone is human and has emotions, and you don't want to let those cloud your clinical judgement.

If there's no one else available you just do the best you can and try to treat them like any other patient.

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

I have the fear of running into one of my exes in the hospital.

I always tell myself to play it cool and treat them as any other patients. Never ties together your professional and personal life.

*Write on their discharge paper*

"Love of my life.........you hurt me."

hahaha ......jk.......not really.

 

[bearintraining]

I have the fear of running into one of my exes in the hospital.

I always tell myself to play it cool and treat them as any other patients. Never ties together your professional and personal life.

*Write on their discharge paper*

"Love of my life.........you hurt me."

hahaha ......jk.......not really.

sounds like you have a lot of exes 😛