Can too much privacy be harmful in some cases?? My wife's boss and friend committed suicide Saturday afternoon. He was just released from a care facility for depression and had a few too many drinks. He had been away from work for a few weeks for FMLA and that was all anyone knew. Had some people would have known, maybe a few signs could have been easier to see? Just a thought. He might have had stronger support from friends and co-workers. When nobody is aware of a problem, how can it be addressed and fixed or at least managed?
HIPAA and FMLA are there for good reasons. I am just a little frustrated and angry that he did not tell more people. We get so wrapped up in our own lives and have little time for anything else it seems. A lousy excuse but I am guilty.
On a more happy note... I do NOT really want to go into geriatric nursing. The Alzheimer's patients hit a bit to close to home for me in an unsettling way. I was glad to see that our interaction together brightened his day up tremendously. He invited me back anytime and I could see that he really meant it. The look is more thanks than I deserved but I'll take it.
I am sorry to hear that. Maybe if he had communicated how he was feeling with someone from the healthcare facility they could have helped collaboratively arrange some discharge planning... Come to think of it, i don't even know if that type of discharge planning exists? I think for sure that there should be some type of at home follow up visit to help with depression and mental health issues. I know that we will come into contact with many people who are down and depressed. It would be nice to know that if we were seeing them out the door they would have some support of some sort (especially instances where they may not be family/friend knowledge of the situation, or support).
ReplyDeleteIt is always sad when someone feels there is no other way than to end their life. Patient privacy is voided when they express any risk of hurting themselves or other people. You can't force people to open up completely and tell you what they are thinking. I think a lot of people who are suicidal hide those true feelings because they know people will judge them, or stop them.
ReplyDeleteOn the other note, i agree about the geriatric folks. it was upsetting to me as well. i can see the reward in helping older people brighten their last days, but the Alzheimer's confusion, and anqiety, is too unsettling for me to deal with on a regular basis. Lucky for us that there are so many areas to go into in nursing. We just have to make it through nursing school, which will be tough at times.