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. Related: Unusual Emergency Room Cases 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. Related: Language Barriers in Communication 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. Related: List of nursing organizations Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter