Memo to the Medical
Staff
From
the CEO,
A
discussion at the recent meeting of the Hospital Employee Safety and Serenity
(HESS) Committee brought to light work conditions which have caused some of our
employees to experience feelings of uneasiness and agitation in the hospital
work environment.
Specifically,
the term “Physician’s Orders” inherently creates an intimidating work atmosphere.
The idea that one individual may order another individual to perform
any task, even a necessary one, strikes the HESS Committee as potentially threatening
and harkens back to days of master and slave; of one individual lording over
another for personal gain, thus introducing charges of racism, misogyny and xenophobia
into our workplace.
Several
members of the nursing staff have expressed feelings of fear, anxiety and apprehension
when having to carry out “orders.”
To
remedy this situation and fend off possible litigation, the term “Physician’s
Orders” will be modified to reflect these more enlightened and progressive
times.
Several
alternative phrases were proposed, including Physician’s Directions, Physician’s
Mandates, Physician’s Instructions, Physician’s Advice, Physician’s Commands
(immediately rejected) and Physician’s Guidelines. After much discussion and
debate, however, the HESS Committee has reached a consensus. The new
terminology will be “Physician’s Suggestions.”
The
Committee feels, very strongly, that this phraseology will promote the greatest
sense of collegiality, warmth and acceptance in the hospital workplace.
I
hope this change will not cause any undue stress and the that the medical staff
will agree to this adjustment and see things in the proper light of twenty
first century reality.
Thank
you
