hospital etiquette Archives - Professional Courtesy, LLC

Calling Friends in Hospital Etiquette

July 20, 2015 by procourtesy

Calling Friends in Hospital Etiquette

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Calling friends in hospital.

There is a natural inclination for many people to pick up the phone and call friends and loved ones in the hospital. They usually want to express their concern or gather information about the individuals status. However, those phone calls can be intrusive and disrupting to the person’s rest and recuperation.

Here are some things to consider before picking up the telephone to call someone who is in the hospital:

Check with a family member who knows the status of the patient to ask if they are up to speaking on the telephone. If someone is very ill or has had surgery they are often too uncomfortable or too groggy from medications to speak. And a ringing telephone can wake them from needed sleep.

Consider having a family member place a call at a convenient time, to you when that family member is in the room with the patient. That way you can speak to the patient on their terms.

Don’t call the nurse’s station for information unless you are listed on the patient’s chart as someone allowed to receive information. Collecting information otherwise is a violation of the patient privacy guidelines. And besides, nurses have enough to do without fielding questions from their patient’s friends.

Do keep calls brief and upbeat when speaking to someone who is the hospital. This isn’t the time to unload your personal problems or talk about distressing topics.

If you can’t speak with someone on the phone, do remember them with cards.

There is a natural inclination for many people to pick up the phone and call friends and loved ones in the hospital. They usually want to express their concern or gather information about the individuals status. However, those phone calls can be intrusive and disrupting to the person’s rest and recuperation.

Here are some things to consider before picking up the telephone to call someone who is in the hospital:

Check with a family member who knows the status of the patient to ask if they are up to speaking on the telephone. If someone is very ill or has had surgery they are often too uncomfortable or too groggy from medications to speak. And a ringing telephone can wake them from needed sleep.

Consider having a family member place a call at a convenient time, to you when that family member is in the room with the patient. That way you can speak to the patient on their terms.

Don’t call the nurse’s station for information unless you are listed on the patient’s chart as someone allowed to receive information. Collecting information otherwise is a violation of the patient privacy guidelines. And besides, nurses have enough to do without fielding questions from their patient’s friends.

Do keep calls brief and upbeat when speaking to someone who is the hospital. This isn’t the time to unload your personal problems or talk about distressing topics.

If you can’t speak with someone on the phone, do remember them with cards.

There is a natural inclination for many people to pick up the phone and call friends and loved ones in the hospital. They usually want to express their concern or gather information about the individuals status. However, those phone calls can be intrusive and disrupting to the person’s rest and recuperation.

Here are some things to consider before picking up the telephone to call someone who is in the hospital:

Check with a family member who knows the status of the patient to ask if they are up to speaking on the telephone. If someone is very ill or has had surgery they are often too uncomfortable or too groggy from medications to speak. And a ringing telephone can wake them from needed sleep.

Consider having a family member place a call at a convenient time, to you when that family member is in the room with the patient. That way you can speak to the patient on their terms.

Don’t call the nurse’s station for information unless you are listed on the patient’s chart as someone allowed to receive information. Collecting information otherwise is a violation of the patient privacy guidelines. And besides, nurses have enough to do without fielding questions from their patient’s friends.

Do keep calls brief and upbeat when speaking to someone who is the hospital. This isn’t the time to unload your personal problems or talk about distressing topics.

If you can’t speak with someone on the phone, do remember them with cards.

A Caring Hand and Heart

November 12, 2010 by procourtesy

If anyone has had a serious illness or had a family member with a serious illness, I would imagine that you learned a few things during the experience. I certainly did when my late husband was ill.

Surviving a serious illness, the death of a spouse, child, sibling or parent changes your life forever. It often puts things in perspective and refocuses your priorities. It can also make you more sensitive to the struggles of others and may change your approach toward them.

Here are some tips that may help you be a better friend while trying to support your friends and family during difficult times.

Become a good listener.
Don’t ask too many questions.
Keep their confidences.
Avoid talking about other people with their same disease, especially if they did not survive.
Don’t visit them in the hospital unless you know they want company or you have been invited to do so.
Call the hospital to see if visitors are allowed.
Don’t tell them or their family how terrible they look; they already know that.
Instead of saying,”call me if I can do anything for you,” just do something.
Helping with meals, household chores and the children will often do more than sending flowers.
Send cards and e-mails regularly.
Offer to help with their communications such as, e-mail, mail, phone calls, etc.

When people are experiencing difficult times it is often the small gestures that resonate with them and are remembered. Never underestimate the power of small acts of kindness. Extending your hand and heart will be greatly appreciated.