Treating Self-Injury (SI)

[crotchitymedic1986]

And why is it that women rarely shoot themselves and adult males rarely overdose ?

[Michael]

The whole liberal pablum-puking suggestion that these patients (or any patients) need "rights" written on paper.

Without that paper (or sign), what percentage of hospital patients do you think would be confident that they have a right to refuse a doctor's treatment or be part of a medical student's training? I know I wouldn't have been sure until I read one of those signs.

You should treat all patients with dignity and respect -- doesnt matter what ailment or injury that they have.

When all providers internalize your ideals, such papers will be superfluous.

1. You have the right to beat your wife/child without being labeled dangerous.

2. You have the right to use violence as communication.

3. You have the right to feel good about the tension that you released through violence.

Since 1. and 2. are False, there's nothing to write in a piece of paper. And although 3. is True, it need not be spelled out until providers start acting on the false belief that anyone doesn't have the "right" to feel anything they feel. At that point it will indeed be necessary to advise patients of their rights against the Thought Police. That's apart from the problematic nature of how an outsider proposes to legislate others' feelings (as opposed to limiting some of their actions).

[crotchitymedic1986]

I would be willing to bet that you cant find a single patient who has ever read the whole paper or sign that states their rights. Walking into a hospital is no different from walking in a burger king. I do not need a list of "rights" to ensure that I can order my whopper with cheese.

[Michael]

Are we discussing those patients who are truly suicidal, or just those who are crying for help (shot herself, but didnt die -- or scratched her wrist with a butter knife) ?

How would your treatment differ in the brief and only time you'll spend with the patient?

I do not judge either, but I have often shown my disapproval

Does not compute, sorry.

through an educational tone, with teen girls who take an OD of tylenol, with the thought that it is a safe way to get attention, not realizing that dialysis could be in their future.

As you suggest, it's all in the tone. I have no reason to doubt you'd be effective if you convey that it's you and her against it, not you against her. Otherwise, I'd leave the therapy to the therapists.

And why is it that women rarely shoot themselves and adult males rarely overdose ?

Men don't appreciate the value of patience? :wink:

[crotchitymedic1986]

Let me put it this way. I remember a hospital CEO that did not believe in having a "patient advocate". Why, because he felt that all of his employees should be patient advocates, and that if you had to have someone to be intermediary between the staff and the patient, they you had royally screwed up.

The same is true of this document. At the point that you need to put "patient rights" in writing, you have shown how poor your organization is.

[Michael]

I would be willing to bet that you cant find a single patient who has ever read the whole paper or sign that states their rights.

What do I win? Hospital patients can find themselves with a lot of unexpected time on their hands, and some of us like to read. 8)

I do not need a list of "rights" to ensure that I can order my whopper with cheese.

No, not anymore you don't.

[Michael]

At the point that you need to put "patient rights" in writing, you have shown how poor your organization is.

Agreed. And while it's poor, is it better to deny its poverty or remedy it?

When the Director of Patient Services and the Administrator on Call are idle all day long, we can retire the positions. In the meantime, I'm very glad I had a place to turn to when an infirm relative was mistreated during her hospital stay. Having a publicly posted Patient Bill of Rights was a useful start.

[Richard B the EMT]

And why is it that women rarely shoot themselves and adult males rarely overdose ?

Mr. (or is it Ms?) Anonymous perhaps gives the best reason why: "Women cry as not to curse out loud, men curse out loud as not to cry."

Also said "Tears are liquid cuss words".

[crotchitymedic1986]

very profound ......... makes sense

[fireflymedic]

From what I'm reading into this, and perchance I'm wrong, but it seems their request is simply to be treated with respect and dignity something every patient regardless of the validity of their complaint should receive without question. As far as the psychiatric evaluation though, I beg to differ. One day the cutter may cut too deep or produce a significant burn, whatever. In that instance is the question of suicidal intent brought up or is it just dismissed as an accident? These people IMHO need intensive monitoring to ensure their behavior doesn't progress to this point of concern. If it means a bit of discomfort and addressing things they don't like then tough. Do we not start a line on a cardiac patient because it might hurt? No, we do it to administer meds which will save their life. The same applies with psychiatric interventions and these self injury patients. I'm not seeing the difference with which to treat - they claim that psychological is same as physical and treat with same respect and care but avoid the appropriate care? You can't have your cake and eat it too.