I was in a clinic not long ago and was chastised by the staff and a Doctor for being "disrespectful". There was even a notation as such entered into my records.
Why? I had a minor surgical procedure done and the healing process had progressed to the point that I needed the large bandage I had on swapped for a smaller, lighter one. A nurse told me they did not have any small bandages and suggested I go and buy some. I was in a medical care facility, and it had no bandages? And I was paying for their "care"! Needless to say, I pointed out that everything about that situation was bullshit and did so in a very straightforward manner. The way they lectured me about being disrespectful made me feel as if I had traveled back in time to elementary school and my teacher was scolding me. Worst case of professional arrogance and hubris I have ever experienced. I thought it may be a local issue but its clear it is systemic. Take what we dish out, shut up about it and pay us for it!

^^^ Hope you wrote an online negative feedback for these assholes.

I just shut up about it. I had some other stuff scheduled through them and I did not want to go through setting them up all over again with another provider. Once I got everything done, I put that clinic in my rearview mirror!

Where do I apply?

I mean this sounds like heaven if I can remove all patients who drop f-bombs on me, piss on the floor, call me a cracker, masturbate in their room, make sexual advance on staff, assault staff, tell providers to kiss their ass and make an ass of themselves in general, I might start enjoying my job a whole lot more.

I work in healthcare and have for a long time. The changes I've seen from the general public in their behavior over the years is most likely what prompts policies like this.

We have a similar policy at the healthcare system I work for. The purpose is to ensure everyone is treated respectfully. You might be surprised to see and hear the shit people say and do in a clinic. Not a mental health facility, but your general every day run of the mill doctor's office.

People taking pictures of other patients and going on verbally about how fat they are; patients demanding to be seen sooner that that "nigger"; people threating to come down and "blow that place up" because they can't get an appointment at the time they want. I could go on an on. A policy like this lets people know that behavior like that won't be tolerated. You may think its wokeness, and maybe the way it's presented in the video is, but the basis behind it is sound.

Abuse of staff, providers, other patients, etc. won't be tolerated. If you choose to behave that way you may find yourself finding other doctor or clinic. So be it you say? Trust me, there are 10 patients waiting to fill your appointment time so if you take your business elsewhere you most likely won't be missed.

Some people (not very many, but some) seem to think that just because they are paying for something (a copay or self-pay) or that their insurance is paying for something that they have the right to behave as horribly as they want. I don't know of many businesses where that's the case and an accepted practice, so why do people think it's OK in healthcare?

So I understand the purpose of that message. It's the same for my employer. If you're obnoxious, abusive, disruptive, etc. then hit the road. No one wants or needs patients like that. If you think that's unfair or uncaring, I encourage you to spend a few weeks in a clinic or hospital - you'll be surprised at the shit you see patients do.

The guy in the video came across as a typical corporate shill, not wanting to "offend" anyone while he complains in the liberal double speak we've all become tired of hearing.
The expression, "couldn't say shit if he had a mouthful" comes to mind. By not being offensive to anyone, he was offensive to everyone. Except the people that really need a good kick in the ass.

On the other hand, I've recently spent a bit of time in hospitals and emergency waiting rooms with older relatives and had the misfortune to observe the behavior of a part of society I don't hang out with when I have options.
Having a medical problem can be stressful for all sorts of reasons, many beyond the immediate cause. That brings out the worst in many people and some act out.

As we see in everyday society, there seems to be a normalcy in coarse behavior that has become acceptable to many in every occupation. People used to be more polite in certain settings so this was not such a common problem.

For another example, in earlier times when you traveled on a plane or anywhere you were in close proximity to strangers, most dressed up a bit and had good hygiene and were somewhat more polite and understanding of minor issues. It started out dressing more comfortably and causally. Now it's at a whole different level for some.

The truth is, anyone that deals with the public sees a version of this new normal.

A few years ago, I had to spend a few days in the hospital, when I was coming close to the day I was to be discharged, the nurse who took the majority of the job responsibilities said to me "I wish I had more patients like you." I was a little surprised by that and said, "Don't you have most of your patients do well?" and she shook her head and told me no. I appreciated the care that I received from the staff and just tried to work the program so that I could be released in a timely fashion. Apparently, I am somewhat in the minority.

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But now, we might hear "hey, he's a very decent guy that everyone likes but he's religious and not entirely receptive to gays; he said once that male gays can't get pregnant. so, i can't possibly treat him."

Sir we can't help you, we cyber stalked your social media and in 2021 you re-tweeted a Trump Meme and we find that in violation of our care polices.

When I was about five my grandfather took me for a ride on the city bus. I could read some at that age and saw a large sign that stated, "Do not spit on the floor". I asked him why they had that sign and he replied, "Because some people do not know any better."

quote:

Originally posted by mojojojo:
I work in healthcare and have for a long time. The changes I've seen from the general public in their behavior over the years is most likely what prompts policies like this.

We have a similar policy at the healthcare system I work for. The purpose is to ensure everyone is treated respectfully. You might be surprised to see and hear the shit people say and do in a clinic. Not a mental health facility, but your general every day run of the mill doctor's office.

It's true. It's amazing how rude some people can be. And... it's usually those who aren't paying for their own care, either out of pocket or with insurance. They don't support themselves, but they think they are "entitled".

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

It's true. It's amazing how rude some people can be. And... it's usually those who aren't paying for their own care, either out of pocket or with insurance. They don't support themselves, but they think they are "entitled".

Yes, that or people who have "bullied" their way through life to get what they want.

I get it. People are sick or don't feel good and aren't always going to be pinky finger extended proper and yes sir/ma'am. That's understandable. What's not is the demanding, rude, hateful, profane, etc. people who, for whatever reason, feel that proper behavior doesn't apply to them.

That's why policies like this exist. We aren't permitted to say what we'd like to say sometimes. So, to avoid just having to take the demanding and bullshit behaviors and attitudes, it can sometimes head off some of that behavior by stating up front the expectations. Even then there are those for whom the "rules" don't apply.

If things don't go your way, by all means let someone know so they can try to address it and fix it or help ensure it doesn't happen again. But to go off and say bullshit and show your ass because something was wrong, they were out of a certain supply or medication (it happens - supply chain doesn't always run perfectly even for large hospital systems or clinics) etc. is a quick way to the exit.

Another is to abuse the staff verbally (physically will get you an assault charge). I've told staff at all my offices not to take any abuse. If people are abusive, profane, etc. ask them politely and professionally to stop that behavior. Let them know we're trying to help. It if continues, call a manager to deal with it in person or hang up on them if on the phone and document it in their chart. I fully support that and will back them 100% of the time.

The example of the sign saying don't spit on the floor is a great analogy. Sadly, you have to tell some people how to behave as some don't know any better. You want to be treated with dignity, kindness, respect, courtesy, etc. then display likewise. If you can't or won't, then go someplace else.

At one hospital I worked at, we had the policy posted on practically every wall. Basically, it was "Abuse or threatened staff and your breaking state law and will be removed ". We would do it, too, but only after a MD came over and did an assessment to make sure nothing emergent was wrong with them. After that, they could take their minor concern and abusive behavior to someone else that would probably ask for payment in advance.
On the flip side (differenthospital), I have had to continue providing high quality care to a patient, after being punched by them, in the face. I was also asked what I could have done better to prevent that from happening.
Good times.

Bruce

This is also why most hospitals have a larger onsite police presence than a decade or two ago.
Sign of the times.

It's more than the way patients are acting. Patents have been misbehaving for as long as there have been patients.

Last year in my cardiologist's office, they had a sign up right by the front desk, that said, essentially, our employees don't have to take shit from anyone and our employees have rights. Not one single word about caring for patients. I am not exaggerating.

I spent twenty years in the medical field and such a sign would never have appeared where I worked. It would have been unthinkable, and is an office manager had decided to put it up without consulting medical staff, they would have been fired on the spot.

This is part of the general "Our employees are more important than than the customers" trend, driven by the whiny leftist "ME ME ME!" bullshit, to accommodate the weakling little snowflakes of the new generation of workers.

Naturally, the leftists perceived the weakness of these little complainers and attached their woke bullshit to it, knowing full well that all the pissing, moaning little twenty-somethings would embrace it wholeheartedly.

The COVID bullshit from 2020 onward has accelerated matters, what with entitled employees who think they do not have to show up for work, do not have to put in a full 40 hour week, and can treat customers like virus-laden beings who are going to kill all the lazy little employees by their mere presence.

So, don't be so quick to place the burden of this on the customer. It's not as simple as that.

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So, don't be so quick to place the burden of this on the customer. It's not as simple as that.

Little Column A, Little Column B, people in general since COVID have been for a lack of a better descriptor, messed up mentally.

Have to say in my dealing with medical at my GP and a few specialists in the past few years I've seen no such signs, and no such activity of people being rude to staff or visa versa.

Dad had a stint put in a week ago, two hospitals, 85 year old man, 90% blocked, and every one we met with was smiling cordial, polite, didn't hear any Ken or Karens bitching either.

But wouldn't doubt for a minute some Karens at a counter right now demanding immediate service for the boil on her ass she got sitting in the road stopping traffic to stop the spotted frog from being displaced...

Yea, nothing arbitrary about judging body language and tone of voice.

I have to wonder how that "code" will be enforced when some gangbanger with gunshot wounds comes in raving about the race of the gangbanger who shot him/her.

There are also Laws concerning denial of due care that can get a Hospital evolved in actions at the Federal level that can result in the hospital being Defunded and out of business. So basically this "policy" is and always will be BULLSHIT.

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:
There are also Laws concerning denial of due care that can get a Hospital evolved in actions at the Federal level that can result in the hospital being Defunded and out of business. So basically this "policy" is and always will be BULLSHIT.

Not trying to argue, but what would you suggest as an alternative to a policy letting patients (basically customers) know that inappropriate behavior won't be tolerated?

Nobody expects healthcare professionals to be abused. But this place seems to be setting an awfully low bar and a blurry line as to what constitutes abuse.

The VA has something called the disruptive behavior committee. You must be accomopanied by security for all visits. At least they have a plan in place to deal with disruptive patients.