hospital - notification to next of kin

[Mr-H]

I don't really know where this queston should sit, but here goes - if someone is admitted to hospital (either phsyciactric or 'physical') is the hospital duty bound to inform relatives of the admission? Does common sense prevail, or is the 'wishes of the incumbent' and his/her 'human rights (of privacy for example) paramount?

[cathfromsaron]

there is no duty to inform people of routine visits, obviously, but if brought to hospital unconscious or seriously ill in an emergency, the staff will look at previous documentation or mobile contact lists and try to call someone!

if somebody (awake) does not wish their family to be informed, then these wishes remain paramount!

[Eve]

I'd have thought it depended on the circumstances and, if conscious and able to make a reasonable decision I'd have thought it's up to the patient.

When I was admitted by ambulance with suspected meningitis then transferred to an infectious diseases unit at another hospital they didn't though I had a friend with me. I asked them to phone my work and my mum the next morning to let them know I was in hospital and why as was a bit more with it then (brain had swollen up). Rang mum myself later and she knew nothing about it as they hadn't called her.

Turns out they had rung my workplace though, told them I was in the infectious diseases unit but they couldn't give them any more details!!! Had to get my mum to ring my boss at the time to explain to prevent a panic!

[owdhamer]

i found out by accident my cousin was in hospital, no one had contacted his family, and he has since died.

[jamesnan]

My father-in-law collapsed and was found (actually by a fire engine and crew) lying on the pavement, with a badly cut face and head. He was taken into the hospital, and we did not have a clue where he was. We ended up ringing the hospital after finding out he was not in any of the usual places, and he then told us that he never bothered to tell them to let us know!

[atalanta]

My brother named me as his next of kin, but nobody ever contacted me from the hospital when he was there - unbeknownst to me.

[boxtops]

Isn't this one reason why people have an ICE (In Case of Emergency) number on their mobile phones, so if you are admitted in an emergency, the police or paramedics can ring whoever's identified on that number on your phone?

[Mr-H]

I actually asked a paramedic about the phone suggestion, and/or a wallet insert. He said that they would never look inside a wallet for fear of it being 'misinterpreted' (possible theft), and they may not have time to look on the phone. He said the best thing is a medic-alert neclace (with dogtag) or bracelet, and that they do immediately look for that. My brother in law now has a dogtag with his illnesses, medications, and the ICE number all listed in 1 place.

[dotty.]

whenever I have been to hospital in an emergency (whether on my own or with the kids) as I book in the clerk always asks permission to inform anyone calling that am there.

[MartinBev58]

Hi Mr-H

I asked a paramedic if they would look inside a wallet for any medical information he said only in rare cases if they thought it could save the patients life.

He said they would get an independent witnesses hopefully a police office and a member of the public who is not part of the 999 service.

He said the hospital would look in a persons wallet as a last resort if the person could not be identified but he did not know if somebody from outside would witness the search.

Martin