HOSPITAL ETIQUETTE

I like this article regarding hospital etiquette, written by zuhaila sedek, nst on august 26, 2009.

Things to remember when visiting:

1. Do not wear too much perfume.
2. If you do bring a gift of food, do not eat any of it. Don't eat the patient food either.
3. When you greet the patient, take his hand gently. Never hug. Most people do not like to be touched, especially if they have undergone surgery.
4. Be polite and stand if there are not enough chairs. You are only going to be there for a short time.
5. Never sit on the bed: it cramps the patient.
6. Only talk about happy situations not about bad news. never talk about illnesses or operations.
7. Don't diagnose. Don ply him with questions such as, "Why are you so pale?", "I cannot find your pulse", "Are you sure your case is not a terminal one?". leave that to the doctors.
8. Bring vases when you bring flowers and arrange them in the room yourself. Nurses are busy most of the time. Make sure that the patients are not allergic to the flowers.
9. Give the doctor some space and go out of the ward when he examines the patient.
10. Remember that the main point of your visit is to cheer the patient up.