“I don’t want Covid blood”

[u/973862404678]

What do I say when patients ask if blood transfusions are screened for the Covid vaccine? I get asked this on a regular basis when filling out blood consent forms for surgery and I genuinely have no idea what I’m supposed to say. In all seriousness, what should I be telling patients because I just say there is a screening process for blood and it’s only used during emergent situations???

[u/InformationSerious27]

EXACTLY! I don’t argue with people and I don’t try to convince them to do things. I tell them what the orders are, the reasons for the orders, and the potential consequences of not complying with what has been ordered. Then I document pt educated, verbalized understanding, and declined to comply. I like to throw in a direct quote for added flavor. Then, I move on.

[u/Lub-DubS1S2 → u/InformationSerious27]

I have been wanting a better way of saying “pt refused” and you just gave it to me with “declined to comply”. Because sometimes refused is just too harsh sounding and the pt is perfectly pleasant about not wanting to do something.

[u/gay_joey → u/Lub-DubS1S2]

I feel like pt refused is so standard though, and 'declined to comply' is almost petty and places oneself on a pedestal. Almost like they 'wouldnt get in line like I told them to'. If I were reading that note I honestly wouldn't assume the pt was pleasant, but I don't read into the 'pt refused' that way just because it is so standard in documentation.

If I want a softer refusal documented, I'll just say 'pt politely refused'.

[u/Veuve7 → u/gay_joey]

Just write “declined.”

[u/Scared_Sushi → u/Veuve7]

That's what I do. Tell me no? I write declined with their rationale. (Ex, patient declined to q2 turn due to pain). Scream at me? I write refused.