I Messed Up

[phleb]

i went to a ward and mentioned another patient to a patient. I did not mention names all i said was 'i just seen a young teenage person in a bad way' i said this in conversation when the other patient asked me if i had been busy, and how many wards i go to. I think i breached Information Governance, as a colleague went to this other patients ward today, and this patient mentioned what i had told her....my colleague then told me that i need to be careful, if management find out i could be suspended or even sacked. It was just something out of nothing and i feel sick to the stomach. I was just getting back on track, and this seems to have been a blow to my self esteem.....will i get into big trouble if this patient mentions this again to someone senior? i.e my manager.

[phleb]

If i get sacked for this, its the end for me, I have worked for the nhs since i was 19, and i am 32 now, and never made a mistake like this ever before.

[tenrec]

Try not to worry too much over this. You didn't give any names or details away did you? We all make mistakes. It is how you deal with and learn from it that really matters.

[bednobs]

can you speak to your manager?
As you have found out, talking about other patients is a no-no really. Even if you don't mention names, they can still be identified.

[2sp_]

It's horrible when you screw up at work - been there, done that myself.

The way I see it you have two options.

1 - fess up to your manager and hope he/she recognises that you know you shouldn't have done it, gives you a slap on the wrist and it's over.

2 - do nothing, sweat it out, hope the patient leaves and says nothing to anyone else.

Either way, I'm sure you won't do it again.

[factor-fiction]

I don't think anything will come of it. You were not specific about names, wards etc. It's a useful reminder though of the need to take care in conversations with patients. Certainly it doesn't come close to a sacking offence in my opinion- informal counselling at most, not even an oral warning if it's not happened before

[phleb]

2sp, I think im going to go for option 2, and sweat it out hope for the best, what will happen will be meant to be.

[weecalf]

Try to stop worring .I have always found that no matter how much you imagine a thing will turn out it will never be that way .you done nowt wrong so go easy on yourself .Ask your self how could a case against you be made out of some trivial observation which you commented on .

[EcclesCake]

I think your colleague has given you a gentle warning about what the consequences could be in future.

You were foolish and not revealing names doesn't mean you haven't revealed an identity or disclosed confidential information.

Discuss the weather, holidays, EastEnders.....just not other patients.

I would be livid if I knew I had been discussed.

[2sp_]

Please try to stop stressing about it. You are punishing yourself far more that any manager could.

[phleb]

I know Eccles, and i feel crap about it. I made a stupid mistake and am so so bloody stupid, and should know better.

[society]

Stop stressing yourself. The mistake is done, learn from it and move on.

[phleb]

oh i have learnt good and proper, i will keep my trap shut in future.

[EcclesCake]

Learn from this incident and move on, just don't repeat it.

Sorry but I have very strong views on privacy and will not mince my words on the subject.

[gordie1]

We all make mistakes I know Ive made plenty. But what you worry about it rarely happens forgive yourself and move on

[sherrardk]

Phleb, stop being so hard on yourself, you'll make yourself ill. You did something daft, you have recognised that and you have said you won't do it again. Fingers crossed it goes no further, x

[pizza]

Hope all goes ok phleb.

[phleb]

thank you sherrard xx

[phleb]

thank you pizza x

[boxtops]

phleb, it's a hard lesson learned - but yes, one of the worst things you can do is speak about a patient to anyone, it's a potential breach of patient confidentiality. Think how you would feel if you were the patient and found that you'd been gossiped about with another patient who you didn't even know. It's not "something out of nothing" as you say - I hope for your sake nothing comes of it, at the worst you could be disciplined, whether or not you gave any personal details about the patient, it's the principle of the thing which matters. I know you'll learn from this - what's in your patient's records has to stay there. You have to learn a catalogue of topics you CAN discuss with patients, and it doesn't include what you've been doing that morning....

[phleb]

Thank you to all of you.x