April 2025
Kathleen
Seide-Paul
,
RN
Float Pool
Wellstar Douglas Medical Center
Douglasville
,
GA
United States
Kathleen’s calm demeanor and quick-thinking actions may very well have prevented physical harm to herself, other staff, patients, and visitors.
Kathleen was receiving bedside shift report from the off-going, dayshift nurse when a male visitor loudly arrived on the unit to visit his friend. In the room, he was speaking loudly and acting in a manic manner with other visitors in a patient’s room. The visitor appeared to be in a crazed state and demanded that the CP get an incentive spirometer and teach the patient how to use it. The loud visitor was obtrusive with the staff, unsafely throwing a toddler visitor up in the air and shouting demands to staff requesting that the patient’s nurse return to the room immediately. Even though he was told that the patient’s nurse was continuing to receive handoff report from the off-going nurses the visitor demanded to see her again immediately.
When the nurse responded, the visitor identified himself as a healthcare employee, familiar with EPIC, and he wanted his friend’s chart opened in the room immediately. Kathleen calmly explained that even though the patient agreed that he could review his chart, she could not allow him to review the EMR as it is against policy. She offered to help the visitor with any questions he may have, but the visitor would not listen. He aggressively approached the nurse and demanded that he view the EMR immediately, and threatened the nurse with his shouting and proximity. Kathleen calmly said she was not able to break the policy. The visitor then demanded to see the charge nurse. Kathleen immediately left the room and safely notified the charge nurse, house supervisor, and security. Shortly thereafter, the man was escorted off hospital property and restricted from returning.
Kathleen’s calm demeanor and quick-thinking actions may very well have prevented physical harm to herself, other staff, patients, and visitors. Although she initially attempted to reason with the visitor, she was wise to leave the area and contact security, then inform the charge nurse and house supervisor. Thankfully, all were safe, and this nurse should be recognized for keeping her composure and acting quickly to protect others.
When the nurse responded, the visitor identified himself as a healthcare employee, familiar with EPIC, and he wanted his friend’s chart opened in the room immediately. Kathleen calmly explained that even though the patient agreed that he could review his chart, she could not allow him to review the EMR as it is against policy. She offered to help the visitor with any questions he may have, but the visitor would not listen. He aggressively approached the nurse and demanded that he view the EMR immediately, and threatened the nurse with his shouting and proximity. Kathleen calmly said she was not able to break the policy. The visitor then demanded to see the charge nurse. Kathleen immediately left the room and safely notified the charge nurse, house supervisor, and security. Shortly thereafter, the man was escorted off hospital property and restricted from returning.
Kathleen’s calm demeanor and quick-thinking actions may very well have prevented physical harm to herself, other staff, patients, and visitors. Although she initially attempted to reason with the visitor, she was wise to leave the area and contact security, then inform the charge nurse and house supervisor. Thankfully, all were safe, and this nurse should be recognized for keeping her composure and acting quickly to protect others.