Crossed wires - getting communication right

This is a great example of how clear communication is so important. Sometimes what we say and what our patients hear are two different things.
Retired nurse Ann-Marie writes about her experiences in Nurses Uncut.
That morning in the 70s, the surgical list was a very important one, for an internationally renowned surgeon was visiting and would be in attendance. Everyone was on edge to make sure nothing went wrong. The Nightingale-style ward made it easy to see patients, but this visibility actually worked against us that morning. When the nurse gave the first patient his Phisohex in a medication glass and said “Take this and go and have a shower”, that’s exactly what he did, swallowed it and started to go to the shower. The four other patients in adjacent beds followed his example. Outcome, all had to be treated for ingestion of Phisohex and vomiting.
Read the full article in Nurses Uncut  - by the NSW Nurses & Midwives Association.