That was the title of an article written by JoNel Aleccia for MSNBC.com. When I thought about writing this blog, a cold chill went down my spine. The last time I attempted to address this issue, I was attacked, not here, but from other places. My family was hassled, there were letters written to the paper, to my board, to the Medical Society and demands for apologies all around. This article, however, took a much tougher stand than I did, and made its point much better than I did as well.
JoNel started by writing, "They're the bullies of the operating room, the brow beaters of bedside manner; doctors, nurses and other clinicians who make a habit of behaving badly." Before you start sending me your hate E-mails and trying to get me fired, censured, and publicly whipped again, let me begin by saying that there are only about 4 to 6% of workers and staff nationwide who typically fall into this category, and, in our case, I can honestly and proudly say that at Windber Medical Center there are less than 1%, but that's not the point. The point is that this type of behavior is still tolerated ANYWHERE.
Ms. Aleccia goes on to say, "They yell, they cuss, they throw things. Or they engage in more subversive behaviors; ignoring questions, acting impatient, insulting colleagues or speaking to them in condescending tones." Any of us in this industry who have not observed this behavior should please stand and be recognized. Interestingly, the Joint Commission has recently taken a stand against bullying behavior with a first-ever alert, and the reason for their alert is patient safety.
Dr. Mark Chassin, President of the Joint Commission, says, "It's a problem that goes underreported, threatens patient safety and has become so ingrained in healthcare that it's rarely talked about." (So, send your evil E-mails to Mark, and let me alone.)
Dianne Felblinger, an associate professor of nursing at the University of Cincinnati who studies medical intimidation goes on to state that "About 70% of nurses studied believe there's a link between disruptive behavior and adverse outcomes, and nearly 25 percent said there was a direct tie between the bad acts and patient mortality."
The great news is that Windber Medical Center's Administration, Medical Executive and Credentials Committees and Human Resources Department deal with these behaviors immediately. They do not and will not tolerate bullying. Oh, and before we end this blog post, remember, this behavior is NOT limited to care givers; clearly, administrators, department heads, and others can be just as guilty.
The advice given in the article is the same advice that we adhere to here at WMC as well. When someone is disruptive we should simply say, "You know what...? That doesn't work here...And we're going to have to do this together as a team because that's what it's all about."
Amen!
Wow!!! You really hit this one out of the park!!!! I have been in the Nursing field for 20 years and every year I wonder why do I continue to put myself through this torture. I am a woman so this is a little hard to admit but let's face it, women can be very nasty. (There is another word that I would like to use and it rhymes with witch.)Once you "cross" the wrong person you are marked for life. Interesting how men can be at each other's throats one day and eat lunch together the next.
It has been my experience that the healthcare field as a whole seems to reward poor leadership by promoting them or allowing them to remain in their positions despite the fact that there superiors are more than aware that a problem exists. It really can be very disheartening.
As a new player in the nursing game I thought that honesty and integrety was a requirement but soon realized that for the most part it actually raises a red flag. It doesn't take long for your superiors (and I use that term loosely) to see you as a "Rogue Nurse" that they can not keep on a tight enough leash. Needless to say that unless you are willing to put aside your conscious and become a part of the "pack" you really don't stand a chance. It then becomes just a waiting game. Who will be the last survivor? I'll give you a hint, it won't be you. Once you have given years of service and sacrificed your health,your physical, mental and emotional well being not to mention family time then you finally realize that providing the best possible patient care and having good work ethic really means nothing, it rips away at your self esteem and makes you wonder why you ever thought you wanted to be a nurse.
You take what is left of your pride and move on to the next "job". I use the term job because by now it no longer is a career. It is something that you have invested too much time, money, blood, sweat and tears into to just walk away from. There is a little piece of you that still believes that most people are basically good and so you start all over again. If you are like the majority this is not the first or last time you will go through this emotional, physical and phsycological torture.
If Fairy Tales were real things would end well but instead you pick up the pieces and try to move on. I only wish that everyone could find a place where they are truly valued. I know that I am dreaming but what if you were told what a good job you were doing as quickly and frequently as you are told that you are not? It is such an easy thing to do and better yet it's free. Oh well I think I am waking up now so it's back to the real world.
Posted by: Maggie Johnson | Monday, August 25, 2008 at 04:42 PM
That's good news, and it does happen all the time. I have to wonder who will say this to the bullies? I've tried, but if you're alone it's a bit difficult. There really are hospital cliques, and physicians protect each other at all costs.
Posted by: Kathleen | Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 07:38 PM