minor hospital-related suckage

[KellyHabersham]

*posting it here because the situation itself sounded kind of sucky.......the way "Pastor Nancy" related it, anyhow*

One of our newer church members (I'll call her "Linda") apparently had a heart attack earlier this week, was taken to a hospital, and one of her female friends called the church office to let Pastor Nancy know. However, for some reason, this woman would NOT give specifics on exactly which hospital "Linda" was at, and got really upset at Pastor Nancy.........apparently said something along the lines of "NO! It's NOT "XYZ Hospital", it's the only hospital in the (name of far-off suburb) area.

Having previously lived in that said area of the city, Pastor Nancy had no idea which hospital this woman was referring to, so she had me call the Chamber of Commerce for that area. Turned out that they do indeed have a hospital in "Far-off suburb", only it's fairly new, and when Pastor Nancy called to see if "Linda" was a patient there, they wouldn't confirm or deny this, and got kind of snippy about it.

Anyhow, I can totally see the friend calling or stopping by the church office and bitching because Pastor Nancy hasn't shown up at the hospital to visit "Linda".

[LillFilly]

I bet she was vague on purpose so she can say "well I TOLD them you were there!" But herself will be the only person who visits and thus will be the hero and best friend.

[jedimaster91]

when Pastor Nancy called to see if "Linda" was a patient there, they wouldn't confirm or deny this, and got kind of snippy about it.

Yet another reason I hate HIPPA. I get not broadcasting a patient's condition and test results, but sheesh, a worried friend or family member should be able to find out where their loved one is.

[casey13]

My take on it is that it's not the hospital that sucks but the lady that sucks. I wouldn't want an abusive ex-boyfriend show up in the hospital and find out a certain patient is there.

[tollbaby]

I agree with casey13. The hospital HAS to play by the rules. It could be ANYBODY calling to find out who's a patient there. But "Linda's" friend sucked big-time.

[Sparky]

Whether or not the hospital can say anything depends on what the patient has agreed to. Our local hospital asks if the patient wants to be "in the directory." I highly doubt if they ask when someone is admitted to intensive care, and if they ask the family, the next of kin is likely to be freaked out and just refuse. They think "Mom wouldn't want her details published in the paper," not "This means Mom's pastor won't be able to find her."

[Amina516]

Thats why a lot of hospital have resorted to "code words". If you dont have the code, you donts get the info. I know it sucks, but its in the patients best interest. Nosey people are everywhere.

I blame the friend for being a twit.

[KellyHabersham]

Thats why a lot of hospital have resorted to "code words". If you dont have the code, you donts get the info. I know it sucks, but its in the patients best interest. Nosey people are everywhere.

I blame the friend for being a twit.

Oh, I don't blame the hospital for not wanting to give out patient info, I'd just gotten the impression that whomever "Pastor Nancy" had spoken to there had given her a hard time about it. And I'd have to agree on the friend being a twit........as when it's happened before that someone from the church has to be hospitalized, whomever contacts the office/church officials doesn't get all snarky about giving out details.

[casey13]

I vaguely remember my church telling all the patients that they need to tell the hospital it is ok if they call, but that was back when I was six or seven.

I would have hoped that the friend would have written down the name of the hospital along with the other info that the girl was at. It's so frustrating when people do that.

[Amina516]

Now that i think of it, a church affiliation is part of the admission assessment (at my hospital at least). They have a list of churches and if they choose a specific one, it generates a list thats sent to the church. Easy peasy... Lol. Also, they can just ask to be seen by the hospital chaplain.

[KellyHabersham]

I would have hoped that the friend would have written down the name of the hospital along with the other info that the girl was at. It's so frustrating when people do that.

I think what happened (and I'm not excusing the friend's behavior) is that she assumed that because the said hospital was the only one in "Far-Off Suburb", that Pastor Nancy would be familiar with the name/location. And this part of the city is far enough away that nobody is going to want to drive all the way to the hospital unless we knew for sure that "Linda" had been admitted there.

[Exaspera]

Thats why a lot of hospital have resorted to "code words". If you dont have the code, you donts get the info. I know it sucks, but its in the patients best interest. Nosey people are everywhere.

Is it like a movie star's name? *eyes darting back and forth* "Richard Widmark"

[MergedLoki]

As to the hospital not confirming/denying patient was there.

legally they are NOT allowed to do that.

If you're an adult and a patient in the hospital it doesn't matter WHO'S calling inasking if you're there the hospital CANNOT (legally) say 'yes mr smith is here in room A4124).

YOU (the patient) has to call the individuals involved (if in the shape to do so) and tell them OR have the hospital staff call your family etc. to say 'yes mr smith is a patient here in room etc.)

reason for this is if someone is calling in over the phone to find Patient X and just saying 'oh yea i'm patient x's mother I need to find em' there's no way to verify its' not just some random person etc.

[MergedLoki]

My take on it is that it's not the hospital that sucks but the lady that sucks. I wouldn't want an abusive ex-boyfriend show up in the hospital and find out a certain patient is there.

as to my above post, but yea that'd be an example of why on people calling into the hospital NO patient info. can be given out. it has to be a call from the hospital going out to someone.

[Magpie]

And this would be why they have to constantly put letters in my church bulletin reminding us to CALL and TELL them if someone is going to be in the hospital. You'd think that after the first few letters people would have caught on... (The lack of people calling before surgery, instead of waiting until afterwards I can understand).