Inappropriate conversations

[AZDesertRat]

I am on PD, but I was on in-clinic hemodialysis for three years prior and I was recently in the hospital and was given hemodialysis in their dialysis unit.  As I'm sure most of you have experienced, sometimes there are dialysis workers who seem to forget that we patients can hear, that we're functional, that we have opinions - that we are people - and they carry on the most personal, inappropriate conversations in front of us.  I've been privvy to conversations about everything from affairs, to drug use, to gossip about co-workers and other patients.

When I was in the hospital, there was a dialysis tech who was discussing something that was personally very offensive to me and something that should not have been discussed in front of me or the other patients there. I am debating whether to lodge a complaint or chalk it up to ignorance. How do others out there handle this and do you have any advice for me?

[willowtreewren]

If people are doing this in front of you, it is a sure bet they are doing it in front of others. I think the first thing to do is speak up at the time with something like, "I'm not sure you were intending to share that personal information with me." or, "I don't think I should be hearing this personal information."

Aleta

[Dman73]

With my hearing loss I miss most of that ... get some earplugs or listen to some music.

[natnnnat]

I always say something to the person involved first before I do anything else.  A lot of this stuff can be sorted out via a quiet word. Or a loud word, depending on your style.

[jbeany]

Maybe humor - just trying snarking, "Hey, TMI!  If you plan on continuing this conversation in front of me, take the needle out of my arm so I can stick my fingers in my ears!"   

[Deanne]

What about making a point of asking for more information? Something like, "What's that name again? I want to make sure I get it right when I tell my husband/wife/friends/dog-walker/whoever."