What Do I Do?
I have a dilemma. Last week someone who I work closely with from another discipline came to me with a problem. One of the other therapists in my area made some mistakes. She said something to the wrong person and it created patient conflict. Patients on her caseload weren't being seen regularly and it was starting to cause problems.
It was brought to my attention because this person felt something needed to be done and wanted my help. I'm not a manager or a supervisor so I can't step in to fix the problem. But I know how things should be done and are normally done. It was obvious to me that wasn't the case. My dilemma is what to do. Do I tell them the details shared with me or do I keep quiet? Sharing the details makes it worse for her but is an easier fix to the problem.
I had no problem providing names and contact information for management within the department. Those things are easily obtainable. The question I've been asking myself is what else, if anything to do? This is tough. She shouldn't have said what she said. The patient's family wants to hold the hospital to what was said. Management is going to have to address this one. I'm torn between keeping confidences and protecting the therapist or becoming involved.
My department is very cutthroat. It is a competitive environment, partly because it is so large. I have no doubt were the situation reversed someone would speak up out of spite if nothing else. To me it isn't that simple. Nothing I say would affect the patient's care or outcome. It would be much easier to decide if that were the case. Saying something would help the resolution but not change anything.
Am I a rat or not? That's what I'm debating. My plan is to say nothing unless asked. Then I will stick to what I know from direct contact with the patient family. Other people can share the rest.