Professional boundaries are of great
importance when it relates to patient care.
The purpose of dialysis professionals is to take care of the sick
and attend to their needs.
In order to establish a positive, professional, patient care relationship,
the dialysis staff
should following a few guidelines by their facilities.
Every facility should have its own
policies and procedures. The dialysis staff
should not intentionally harm a patient, whether it is physical
or emotional pain. They
should listen to the patients – it is a sign of respect,
and not talk over them.
Confidentiality of information about
patients and their medical problems should not be
told to any individuals outside of the work environment. If one
should have the need to
discuss patient’s private information, they need verbal
or written permission to do so.
Patients should be treated by professionals respectfully, regardless
of race or ethnicity,
sexual preference, and religious orientation. The dialysis professionals
are teachers and
should answer questions from patients but if they do not know
an answer, they should
refer patients to individuals who can help them. Patients may
tell the dialysis staff
personal information, but the professionals should not unload
details to patients. If they
are unhappy with a certain circumstance, they should tell a supervisor
not a patient.
Dialysis staff should keep things
private with personal questions they ask the sick; they
should not exchange money with patients, and should not have any
romantic relationships
with them. Friendliness and courteousness should always be exemplified
towards
patients. Even if a staff member has a bad day, they should put
the problem aside and act
friendly. The role of dialysis professionals is to represent themselves
as employees with
the dialysis centers. Patient care should be the top priority
of the dialysis staff and by
being professional, positive patient staff relationships can arise.
Fanya Zalipsky
Centers for Dialysis Care
BONENT Member since 1997
