How to protect a patient's dignity

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How to protect a patient's dignity

In the stress of performing first aid, we often forget about the emotional toll this can have on the patient during and after the event.

By no means do we want anyone to be put-off performing first aid in fear of disrespecting or embarrassing a patient – the most important thing is to make sure you and those around you are safe. After this, your priority should always be to make any lifesaving interventions. However, there are simple tricks that can be implemented to reduce stress and embarrassment for your patient.

We have provided some easy-to-remember tips on how to protect your patient’s dignity when performing first aid:

What to do

Ask bystanders not to film/take photos – it is not illegal to film someone in a public space, but a polite challenge may stop them from intruding
Use a shield - if the patient has their clothes removed, ask someone to hold up a coat or blanket where available. Asking bystanders to stand in the way of view can also be useful
Communicate calmly – the patient may be upset. Try your best to talk to them in a calm voice
Communicate when you touch them – ask the patient for consent before you touch them. Where they are unconscious, still tell them what you are doing. For example, “I am going to put you in the recovery position now, as this will help prevent your condition from worsening.” They may be able to hear you, and it informs those around you what you are doing
Only remove clothing that you need to – for example, if a patient has a severe bleed, you may need to cut or remove clothing to treat the bleed. However, only remove clothing surrounding the bleed, as it is rare to need to remove all clothing
Keep the event confidential – do not share any details about the incident on social media, even anonymously. Relatives have often found out their loved one has been injured through pieces of information or photos shared online