How to Visit a Hospital Patient

Avoid These Common Mistakes When Visiting the Sick

Jan 25, 2009 Helen Brain

Avoiding the following behaviours will make visiting hour easier.

Most hospital patients look forward to visiting hours as the highlight of the day. But poor visiting technique can make visits uncomfortable for both patient and visitor. Follow these tips for behaviours to avoid.

Physical Contact with the Patient

Do not insist on kissing or hugging the patient if their body language suggests they are uncomfortable. Don’t bump or crowd the bed.

Don’t cough or sneeze near the patient, or sit with the feet on the bed, as some patients become extremely anxious about germs when they are ill.

Be Aware of the Other Patients in the Ward

Greet the other patients if they are awake. No matter how lonely or down they appear, don’t visit with them instead of the patient being visited, as he or she may feel left out and resentful.

Take care not to crowd into the space around other beds. Keep voices down, as other patients may be feeling ill and needing quiet.

Gifts for Sick People

Don’t bring a large gift or bouquet of flowers that is so big it gets in the way in the limited space.

Don’t eat the gifts other people have given the patient.

Flowers

Don’t bring a bunch of flowers with no vase, as the hospital may not have one. Don’t leave them on the table and expect the patient or staff to fill it with water.

Don’t Query the Patient’s Treatment

Any concerns about the patient’s treatment, should not be raised in front of the patient as this may cause unnecessary distress. Rather have a word with the appropriate staff member privately.

Things Not to Talk About

Don’t talk about traumatic or upsetting topics in the news.

Do not tell the patient horror stories about people who had the same illness or operation as the patient, and how things went wrong. Particularly if it ends tragically.

Don’t tell the patient how ill he looks, even if it’s true. Especially if it’s true.

Don’t discuss the other patients in the ward, particularly if they can hear what is being said.

Listen to the Patient

Often, the patient needs a sympathetic ear and a chance to talk about his or her feelings. Don’t get visibly upset if the patient wants to express negative or frightened feelings.

Don’t Stay Too Long

A long visit is exhausting for the patient, particularly if there are several visitors. Many hospitals have strict rules about the number of visitors per patient. But if they don’t, be mindful of the number of visitors, and leave when appropriate.

It is disturbing to other patients in the ward if visitors talk to one another loudly during the visit. Visitors should rather chat to each other after visiting hours.

Be Friendly to the Nurses

Don’t be rude or make a fuss with the staff. Patients are totally dependent on the nursing staff, and may become very anxious if a visitor causes a scene or complains unnecessarily.

By avoiding these common mistakes visiting hour can become a pleasure not a chore. Want to know how to do the perfect hospital visit? Read the next article, How to Visit Someone in Hospital

The copyright of the article How to Visit a Hospital Patient in General Medicine is owned by Helen Brain. Permission to republish How to Visit a Hospital Patient in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

How to Visit a Hospital Patient