Skip to main content

Handling Famous or Political Patients



In your nursing career, have you ever had a famous actor or actress?  Or how about a political figure?  If not, you may at some point encounter such, and there are some tips to consider ensuring things go well.

What Not To Do

First and foremost, tell no one.  That's right, even close friends or family members.  Depending on the patient's level of fame, word can slip out very easily, even when no harm is intended.  Famous people are a topic of excitement. You are not going to stop their whereabouts from being discussed if one or more persons are aware.  The patient is now a patient, and not an actor, actress, or political figure.  They deserve complete privacy, and in fact not doing so could cost you your job. 


Depending on the patient's level of fame, tabloids and reporters may be waiting to stop any employee that exits the hospital, so be prepared.  A generic answer such as, we don't discuss any patient, is appropriate.  Never give any indication that in fact the patient is in your care.  Again, doing so can cost you your job. 

Often when a well known patient is admitted, they go by an assumed name.  This is the name you should address them by unless they indicate otherwise, do not refer to them by their real name unless they specify you should do so, which is quite rare.  Keep in mind, a hospital stay is generally a private time, and that private time should be respected. 

Don't ask for an autograph, or tell them what a big fan you are.  A hospital stay entitles the patient to an escape from everyday life, which includes the acknowledgment that they are famous. 

What to Do

For the most part you should treat your patient as you would any other; however there are some obvious differences.  You may be referring to them by a fictitious name, so you will want to consider this when making notes, etc. Make your patient feel comfortable, and assure them you offer every patient the best care possible. 

Be truthful regarding their condition, and contact the attending physician if they have questions beyond your scope of expertise.  Assure them that their identity will be protected as much as possible, although never promise it is always protected, that cannot be guaranteed. 


In a large city, a well know actress was admitted under a fictitious name, it was assumed she was anonymous, and no one knew she was there.  As she was waking up from a nap one day, she noticed a flash in her eyes, and realized a photographer had posed as a window washer and was taking pictures through her hospital window.  Many times tabloid reporters and photographers will go to great lengths to obtain the story or the photo.  One nurse that was caring for a political figure thought she was being very careful, and respecting the privacy of her patient, she had not mentioned them to anyone.  When she was leaving her shift, a man approached her in the hallway, wearing a lab tech coat and carrying a clipboard.  He asked, how is, and referred to the patient by his real name.  The nurse hesitated, but the presumed lab technician was hospital personnel, as he said he forgot to use the fake name, and the nurse responded.  The nurse assumed the lab tech was aware whom the patient was, and shared information with him.  As it turned out, that lab tech was a tabloid reporter, who now had confirmation of who the patient was, and from there the story developed.  It's best to keep in mind some people will do anything to secure a story. 

Of course, it's difficult to ignore a patient's fame and notoriety, just try to think of them as any other patient, and continue to divide your time evenly among all of your patients.  Never share the patient's name with anyone. It's best not even to tell family members. It may slip out who is under your care, especially if children are involved.  As a professional healthcare provider there are laws and regulations to abide by, as well as a moral responsibility to do what's in the best interest of your patient.  Allow the patient the privacy of any other patient admitted to a medical facility. 


Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest  and Twitter

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

As a Nursing Student, what Extracurricular Activities are Beneficial?

We already had our time to treat the immense demanding curricula a nursing school provides. Nursing students are often familiarized with it at the very beginning of their journey. Information usually being provided is strictly covering what the school curricula involve. It does not provide hints on possible courses or extracurricular activities a nurse-to-be has to follow in order to get the most of his/her studying years. A nursing student might consider going for a nurse related extracurricular activity that will be efficient in terms of time management. What might count as a productive extracurricular activity for a nursing student? o      Initiating one or more community service projects o      Job shadowing o      Volunteer   Why should one consider these extracurricular activities once he or she is studying to become a nurse? Well, first of all, nursing requires a lot of good will and dedication. It is that kind of profession you need to put all your physic

Where do Registered Nurses Work?

Registered nurses are needed far and wide, and there dispersal amongst various facilities is illuminating.   Commonly, you associate nurses with hospitals, but their expertise is needed in a plethora of environments.   An overwhelming amount of nurses, (60% to be exact) operate in hospitals.   Comparing this percentage to the mere 5% working in nursing homes, RN’s have disseminated into non-governmental and EDU positions, as well as employment facilities and doctor’s offices.    Related : 2016 INTERNATIONAL NURSES ASSOCIATION (INA) SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Visit www.nurseadvisormagazine.com for more information on nursing. R elated : Top Nurse with the International Nurses Association, Steven Eric Southerland, RN, BSN, AAS, EMT-P to Publish in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook , Linkedin , Pinterest , Twitter

Insomnia in Nurses

The nursing profession has more workers suffering from insomnia than any profession overall.   It's really not surprising: rotating shifts, long hours, emotionally draining days or nights, and of course the pressure of not making a mistake. It all can take its toll, and that toll may be in the form of insomnia.   Insomnia Facts Do you ever look at s sleeping baby, and think about how you wish you could sleep like that?   Babies have no daily worries. Someone always cares for their needs, so their minds are not preoccupied with “what ifs”, or consumed with thoughts of everything that must be accomplished the following day.   No wonder we can't sleep!   One of the main reasons so many nurses suffer from insomnia is that it's difficult to essentially shut the mind down.   You can physically put your body to bed, however you cannot reach in the brain, flip a switch, and turn of the mind.   Think of it like this; you get a comfortable blanket and pillow however ins