Nurse/Patient and possible race issue

[BeachGirlFLA]

We have generally told patients that unless they have a valid complaint about a nurse other than his/her skin color, or an underlying issue (ie-white woman raped by black man who doesn't want a black male nurse as cited in previous example) then nurses are assigned as they are assigned with no thought to skin color.

That's pretty much what I figured. It's also exactly what should happen in this case.

 

[Heidict]

I don't agree with you at all. Just because you are accomodating a patient doesn't mean you are supporting their views of anything. It is not your job to force people not to be racist. You are there to take care of them. I don't think anyone has to put their big girl panties on and deal with it. They are the patient, they should be accomodated. We accomodate people because of their religious beliefs. Why can't we understand if someone is not comfortable with someone of a different race? Why does the patient have to explain why they don't like black/asian/white/inidan people? It is none of anyone's business.

Where does the line stop? If a white patient says no black worker may come in there room, then it's okay? If someone says no Jewish, it's okay? If a woman refuses to be treated by a man, then it's fine?

Then you end up with a hospital being run by the patient. I can't even begin to imagine the scheduling nightmare that would ensue. What happens if the hospital is in a predominately white and racist area? You don't hire black workers or Jewish workers because it might offend the patients? It's racist and to accommodate the patient would be a form of accepting the racism. You may not agree with their views, but you are a party to it.

Whether or not the patient is getting the best care possible is what is important in a hospital setting not the color of skin of the person administering the care.

 

[Sandy V.]

I don't agree with you at all. Just because you are accomodating a patient doesn't mean you are supporting their views of anything. It is not your job to force people not to be racist. You are there to take care of them. I don't think anyone has to put their big girl panties on and deal with it. They are the patient, they should be accomodated. We accomodate people because of their religious beliefs. Why can't we understand if someone is not comfortable with someone of a different race? Why does the patient have to explain why they don't like black/asian/white/inidan people? It is none of anyone's business.

I respectfully disagree. It may not be the hospital's job to force people to not be racist, but it is NOT the hospital's job to accommodate someone's racist views. They're there to be treated for a medical malady, and they get the medical personnel the hospital gives them, be it white, black, red, yellow, or purple.

To extend your logic, do you think a restaurant should allow a customer to only have folks of a certain race serve them? After all, they're the customer and, in your words, they should be "accommodated"? Because the restaurant is there to "take care of them".

It boggles the mind to think that some folks think this is okay.

 

[EMom]

Slightly off-topic to this discussion about Nurse/patient relations, but I wish that references to people of different pigmentations and various ethnic backgrounds would be characterized as *ethnic* (or perhaps "ancestral") origins and differences instead of race differences.

I guess we (or more importantly, a government form) might say "Caucasian race", but even *that* bothers me. I'm not from the Caucasus! My ancestors are not from the Caucasus!

Even the term "Caucasian" turns out to be loaded. It means very different things to Americans than it does to Russians, as many American parents adopting from Russia could tell you. Many Americans would specify "Caucasian" on the adoption form when asked for a preference. They didn't care if the child had blonde hair and blue eyes, but they did prefer what Americans call a Caucasian child. Basically, a White child. Seems easy enough.....They asked for a child and left it open to broad interpretation so long as the child was Caucasian/White. It's not as if there's a shortage of those in Russia.

But Russia is an immense nation and has a diverse population. It is largely Asian and guess what many of the people on the eastern side look like? There are also a fair number of Romany (Gypsy) people. Basically, you name it, they've got it....almost. Knowing this, families who did not want an Asian child or a Romany child would often stipulate "Caucasian." (It is perfectly acceptable and even expected to make requests, BTW.)

Imagine their surprise when they would arrive and be shown a picture of the child they were to meet, only to see that the child was very, very dark. When they said, "Ummm.....We asked for a Caucasian child," they were told, "This IS a Caucasian child." If they then described what they thought of as a Caucasian child, the Russians would say, "THAT'S not a Caucasian child." It's all in the terminology. They take it literally. Caucasian means "from the Caucasus region" and people from that area are perceived by Russians as non-Slavic. (often Muslim) I believe Caucasian can even be slang for "dark" or "black" although they're not talking about skin color.....Rather hair color and features that are considered not Slavic, etc.

Good adoption agencies would alert parents quickly that the use of the term "Caucasian" could result in confusion and that they might want to be more specific and even avoid the term completely. Seriously, I was amazed at the ability of the average Russian to look at a person (adult or child) and say, "They are ethnic Russian" or "They are perhaps part Russian, but also part this or that." They could spot subtle (to our eyes at least) differences in features that would escape the average American, who is so used to our melting pot. And they do make a distinction between ETHNIC Russian and being Russian by nationality.

Anyway, just an aside to explain that "Caucasian" doesn't even mean Caucasian, depending on where you are in the world.

 

[Heidict]

To extend your logic, do you think a restaurant should allow a customer to only have folks of a certain race serve them? After all, they're the customer and, in your words, they should be "accommodated"? Because the restaurant is there to "take care of them".

It boggles the mind to think that some folks think this is okay.

Exactly, where does it end? If the hospital accommodates them, then they are going to expect every place to.

 

[wvjules]

Take race out of it. Why can't a patient decide if they do not want a certain nurse or doctor? Why does it matter what the reason is? Nobody gets to decide how another person thinks or feels. If the patient is a racist so be it. That is their perrogative. I don't think they should have to be forced to be cared for by anyone that they do not want regardless of their reason. YMMV.

I don't agree with you at all. Just because you are accomodating a patient doesn't mean you are supporting their views of anything. It is not your job to force people not to be racist. You are there to take care of them. I don't think anyone has to put their big girl panties on and deal with it. They are the patient, they should be accomodated. We accomodate people because of their religious beliefs. Why can't we understand if someone is not comfortable with someone of a different race? Why does the patient have to explain why they don't like black/asian/white/inidan people? It is none of anyone's business.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Where does the line stop? If a white patient says no black worker may come in there room, then it's okay? If someone says no Jewish, it's okay? If a woman refuses to be treated by a man, then it's fine?

Then you end up with a hospital being run by the patient. I can't even begin to imagine the scheduling nightmare that would ensue. What happens if the hospital is in a predominately white and racist area? You don't hire black workers or Jewish workers because it might offend the patients? It's racist and to accommodate the patient would be a form of accepting the racism. You may not agree with their views, but you are a party to it.

Whether or not the patient is getting the best care possible is what is important in a hospital setting not the color of skin of the person administering the care.

But the best care possible also includes making sure that the patient is comfortable with the treatment. I really doubt that every single patient is going to request a different worker because of their beliefs. I think that few (in caparison to the number of people treated) that do should have their rights respected as well even if I don't agree with them.

I respectfully disagree. It may not be the hospital's job to force people to not be racist, but it is NOT the hospital's job to accommodate someone's racist views. They're there to be treated for a medical malady, and they get the medical personnel the hospital gives them, be it white, black, red, yellow, or purple.

To extend your logic, do you think a restaurant should allow a customer to only have folks of a certain race serve them? After all, they're the customer and, in your words, they should be "accommodated"? Because the restaurant is there to "take care of them".

It boggles the mind to think that some folks think this is okay.

Why can't they accomiodate someone's racist views? They can accomodate if you don't want a certain gender helping you. They can accomodate if a person makes you feel uncomfortable. They can even accomodate your religion. I think in the US we have a right to have whatever views we want to have. What if you didn't want somebody treating you because they had a thick accent and could not understand them? Is that racist or is that simply a patient care issue?
As for a restaurant, you can request a certain waitress. People do it all the time. When I waitressed I had my regulars. They requested to be seated in my section. So yes, a restaurant can and does accomodate people.

Exactly, where does it end? If the hospital accommodates them, then they are going to expect every place to.

I doubt the downfall of society is going to happen because a person is a racist in a hospital. Chances are they are like that everywhere else and know what they have to do to accomodate their beliefs.

Look- I don't think it is right to discard anyone because of their ethnicity, but I also do not think it is anyone's job to decide what others can believe in.

 

[Sandy V.]

Why can't they accomiodate someone's racist views?

Because the United States Supreme Court has said that they can't. Repeatedly in a variety of life situtations and applications.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Because the United States Supreme Court has said that they can't. Repeatedly in a variety of life situtations and applications.

What if they didn't come right out and say "I don't want nurse ratchet to care for me because she is white" and they simply said that they didn't like her? What if you knew the reason was because of race but the patient didn't come out and say it to you? What if you overheard it but it wasn't stated directly to you? Would you disregard their request?

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I don't agree with you at all. Just because you are accomodating a patient doesn't mean you are supporting their views of anything. It is not your job to force people not to be racist. You are there to take care of them. I don't think anyone has to put their big girl panties on and deal with it. They are the patient, they should be accomodated. We accomodate people because of their religious beliefs. Why can't we understand if someone is not comfortable with someone of a different race? Why does the patient have to explain why they don't like black/asian/white/inidan people? It is none of anyone's business.

Allowing racism is the same as supporting racism.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Allowing racism is the same as supporting racism.

If that is true than allowing anything that is different than what you personally believe is supporting it. What if they are a different religion? Will you make them convert so you are not supporting their religion? What if their political beliefs are different than yours? Will you force them to change their voter card? My point is that just because we do not agree with others doesn't mean that they cannot have their beliefs. It doesn't mean that we support their beliefs, we just respect their ability to have them.

 

[Sandy V.]

What if they didn't come right out and say "I don't want nurse ratchet to care for me because she is white" and they simply said that they didn't like her? What if you knew the reason was because of race but the patient didn't come out and say it to you? What if you overheard it but it wasn't stated directly to you? Would you disregard their request?

If you're asking me personally, no way in HECK would I ever accommodate someone's request if I suspected that the reason was racially based. I would make sure that they received excellent medical care from the staff who was on duty, no matter what their race. After all, that's what the patient is there for in the first place - to get better and go home. I would not have time to play these types of games and jump through hoops.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

If you're asking me personally, no way in HECK would I ever accommodate someone's request if I suspected that the reason was racially based. I would make sure that they received excellent medical care from the staff who was on duty, no matter what their race. After all, that's what the patient is there for in the first place - to get better and go home. I would not have time to play these types of games and jump through hoops.

Sorry but I think you are wrong. It doesn't matter what you suspect. The patient told you they were not comfortable with a certain worker and you - who was told nothing else- have decided to "show them" and punish them for what you think is the reason.

 

[Sandy V.]

It doesn't mean that we support their beliefs, we just respect their ability to have them.

But the point is, by "accommodating" their racial preference as to who treats them in a hospital setting, you ARE supporting their belief.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

If that is true than allowing anything that is different than what you personally believe is supporting it. What if they are a different religion? Will you make them convert so you are not supporting their religion? What if their political beliefs are different than yours? Will you force them to change their voter card? My point is that just because we do not agree with others doesn't mean that they cannot have their beliefs. It doesn't mean that we support their beliefs, we just respect their ability to have them.

Again, allowing racism is supporting racism.

Having others beliefs is not necessary, respecting others differences is what creates harmony & change.
I'm married to a man who has a voter's card that looks very different than mine. I'm waiting for adopted children that will look very different than I do. I have friends from different areas of the world. I'm blessed not blind.

When you look beyond your small bubble you will be the richest person in the world.

 

[Sandy V.]

Sorry but I think you are wrong. It doesn't matter what you suspect. The patient told you they were not comfortable with a certain worker and you - who was told nothing else- have decided to "show them" and punish them for what you think is the reason.

And how are they being "punished"? Especially if, as I said, they received excellent medical care and they got better?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

But the point is, by "accommodating" their racial preference as to who treats them in a hospital setting, you ARE supporting their belief.

It is the same as accomodating someone who say doesn't believe in blood transfusions because of their religion. Are you supporting their religion and belief and agreeing with them or are you accomodating their religion with offering a different choice of care?

Again, allowing racism is supporting racism.

Having others beliefs is not necessary, respecting others differences is what creates harmony & change.
I'm married to a man who has a voter's card that looks very different than mine. I'm waiting for adopted children that will look very different than I do. I have friends from different areas of the world. I'm blessed not blind.

When you look beyond your small bubble you will be the richest person in the world.

I am going to guess that what I bolded was a general statement not a snark directed at me.
You talk about respecting people's differences. What about respecting someone's different way of thinking than yours? You have no idea how someone grew up and what they might have endured to make them form the opinions that they have. Just because you embrace people without looking at skin color or ethnicity doesn't mean that others who don't are living in a small bubble. It doesn't make someone superior. It simply makes their beliefs different than yours.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

And how are they being "punished"? Especially if, as I said, they received excellent medical care and they got better?

It is your opinion that they recieved excellent medical care. If they were not comfortable with the care it was not excellent.

 

[Sandy V.]

It is your opinion that they recieved excellent medical care. If they were not comfortable with the care it was not excellent.

So, speaking only in a MEDICAL sense, if their symptoms went away/decreased/whatever needed to happen happened and they were discharged, the fact that they didn't have the person they wanted treat them means that their health care was unsatisfactory?

 

[Sandy V.]

It is the same as accomodating someone who say doesn't believe in blood transfusions because of their religion. Are you supporting their religion and belief and agreeing with them or are you accomodating their religion with offering a different choice of care?.

Apple to oranges. Not the same thing. Religion is a volitional choice, your race is not. Not having a blood transfusion is a medical care treatment choice between the doctor and the patient. Having a certain person take care of you based upon race is NOT. It is a DESIRE for what some person may want, but nothing more.