Overheard Staff Joking About My Body

[virginiaRN 60]

2 hours ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

Sounds like she's in the wrong job.

For real!

[virginiaRN 60]

If I wasn't an RN, I might not report it. But I feel just like I am a mandatory reporter of abuse for the elderly and children, I am a mandatory "feedback giver." Unfortunately, they crossed someone who knows all too well exactly what ethical codes they have violated, not to mention HIPAA. I will let them know in writing, likely the PA, the MD, and the office manager. And I will be discontinuing care with them.

I didn't want to add fuel the fire, but the PA's plan of care was completely inappropriate for my case. She wanted me to get allergy tested (right, b/c after 44 years of living, a brand new food allergy developed 2 weeks ago--yes, it can happen but it's unlikely.) And she recommended I take a medication with aspirin in it, which the MD expressly told all patients never to take. In fact, I have his printed packet stating not to take it. So odd. Having just gotten over a peptic ulcer d/t taking celebrex with nexium (also rx'd by a different PA)--which is not optimal to take as a bariatric patient, but is indicated sometimes, I am extremely leery of taking any NSAIDs or aspirin.

I can say that I did personally grow from this and will be even more on guard to protect my patients. But it is just sad that people who are trusted with the care of others are so blase about it. Anyway, thanks folks for your help! I feel better just being able to vent! I will let you know how it goes.

[GreenTealael 25,587]

You're a more mature person than me...

I still think all of her future children will be wholely cloven foot...

[NYJenn 1,464]

Report them ASAP

[MIZ60 1,291]

There is no excuse for this. I have been a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner for 28 years. Sure, there are situations that come up that I talk about with other providers in my office but not in that way. Just because a door is closed does not mean someone is not eavesdropping. I had a shared office with a pediatrician for several years and if we needed to discuss anything sensitive about a patient, parent or staff member we actually texted each other back and forth while sitting at our desks because the walls have ears.

I urge you to make what happened known to the doctor and practice administrator. The people involved need to be counseled and warned that further behavior like that will not be tolerated.

I am very sorry this happened to you, especially with your son there.

[Bootscraper 56]

Something similar happened to me when I was at a new Dr's office. This was a couple of years ago and I was being seen for weight loss medication management (I was being put on a appetite suppressant). I was in the patient room waiting for the doctor to come in and I could hear the nurses in the main area (open work station, all patient room doors faced the nurse station). I could hear them talking about me and laughing about what I was coming in for and saying that I was about the same size as someone else they must have all mutually known. I was mortified that they were discussing why I was in the office and my body with each other and within earshot of other patients that were in their own rooms. I did not say anything, I wish I would have, just to hopefully prevent other patients from feeling as awful as I did in that moment. They are not ignorant of their behavior, they are apathetic of how it affects other people and should be called out on it.

[J San 1,072]

Horrible you had to go through that. You are obviously a very strong person for biting your lip and not going apesh*t on them when they walked out the door. Glad you decided to do something about it. They shouldn't get away with it and be able to hurt others they way they hurt you. Granted they didn't know you were in earshot but regardless It's not something they should be so comfortable doing. Whatever the outcome Congrats on your success in all you have been through.

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

So sorry this happened to you, and unfortunately it happens too much among professionals that damn well know better.

Write that letter and spare the next patient that doesn't have your strength to bear this. If they talked about you like this, it is very likely a part of this office's culture and needs to end. The letter needs to go to the office manager and the surgeon, not the offending parties. I would stress that since the conversation was so blatantly mutual among the parties that this cannot possibly be an isolated occurrence. Ask for discipline to be brought against them, nothing less than discipline will put an end to it, suggest transfers even, add that you are copying your state regulators. I know this sounds extreme but it happens too often. (Someone in my surgeon's office doesn't want to work with the bariatric patients because she 'can't stand them' - well guess what? She sure as hell isn't working with them because she is gone)

[Frustr8 7,886]

And never think if you speak another language it is excusable! A story to illustrate my point- My very good friend Martha. Her father was Amish, fell in love and married outside the faith. He was extremely lucky his family didn't totally" shun" him, because they almost always do. At any rate Eli remembered and still honored many of the basic tenets of his former faith. He taught all children respectful actions and the German-Swiss language of his ancestors. Martha worked with me at the local Wal-Mart, a place many of our local Amish patronize.
Martha is waiting on 2 Amish women who proceeded to make snide remarks about" the stupid ugly English( Amish term for people outside their faith) girl who was trying to serve them!"
Martha had just enough to make her 😠 angry! She said in perfectly spoken German " Thank you very much for your observation, ladies. Shall I give Bishop Yoder, my grandfather, your fine regards?. 2 very embarrased, bright-red faced Amish ladies headed for the front of the store where they could pay for their purchases and leave. Final score Martha 1 Amish Women with loose tongue 0

[Gundy 139]

Dear Virginia,

I am seething at how cruel and unprofessional these medical professionals (I use the term, professionals, very loosely here)! If I knew where you were seen, I’d be in the Clinic or Hospital Administration Office in five minutes to report them. How dare they treat you or anyone else in such a hateful manner. Their terrible attitudes and lack of compassion have no place in the medical field.

When they go low, you went high! Good for you! All be best to you, Dear Virginia!!!

[Gundy 139]

As I read all the posts, I thought that the PA and her partners in crime really don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt by confronting only them. I would certainly give a copy of your post to the PA and her partners, but I would also set up a meeting with Administration or Quality Control for the Hospital or Clinic and also inform the surgeon. No one else should experience what you did, and it truly sounds like these people have a field day discussing all their patients in a disrespectful and hateful manner.

I had a terrible PA that I saw during an Urgent Care visit. The next day, I called the general clinic number and said I wanted to talk to somebody about quality of care. When you do this, you get immediate responses!!!

[GamePlan18 24]

 

[J San 1,072]

17 minutes ago, GamePlan18 said:

I hope it wasn’t your intention to classify a whole group of people just because it isn’t something you are interested in

Seems to me maybe she was referring to the way hers look in comparison to the "perfect" image of them usually associated with those of a stripper or porn actress. Rather than classifying a type of person that gets this type of surgery done.

Out of her whole story that's what you decided to focus on. hmmmmmmmmmm

[GamePlan18 24]

08/17/2018 04:03 PM, J San said:

Seems to me maybe she was referring to the way hers look in comparison to the "perfect" image of them usually associated with those of a stripper or porn actress. Rather than classifying a type of person that gets this type of surgery done.

Out of her whole story that's what you decided to focus on. hmmmmmmmmmm

Lol, I guess you didn’t read my whole comment where I agreed that she was mistreated and that their behavior was childish and insensitive, but it’s ok that you chose to focus on only part on my reply, I’m damn sure not here to argue with some random, about something I was saying directly to the OP. You have a nice day now dear. 😆

[J San 1,072]

Read it perfectly fine but that was not the focus of your statement. I guess you didn't notice but this is a public forum, one where others read and respond to posts of others. And I damn sure will have a nice day. and hopefully you damn sure will as well. DEAR