Word Swap
‘Patient throwing items at staff’
What is a person-centred way to describe aggressive behaviour?
‘Poorly controlled diabetes’; ‘Failure to cope’; ‘Noncompliant with treatment plan’
What are examples of language that implies the patient is at fault?
Actions, words or gestures used by patients to communicate something important about their personal, social, or physical environment
What are responsive behaviours?
Language that is specific, objective, respectful
What is person-centred language?
Patient grabbed my wrist when I turned him on left side
What is a person-centred way to describe a physically responsive behaviour?
‘Patient not able to form coherent statements’
What is a person-centred way to describe confusion?
‘Claims to be allergic’; ‘Denies pain’; ‘Poor historian’
What are examples of language that implies the patient is lying or inaccurate?
All behaviour has meaning
What is the key point to remember for responsive behaviours?
Precise details on the who, what, where, when, and why something happened
What does ‘specific’ in PCL mean?
Patient was leaning forward on edge of chair, voice getting louder
What is a person-centred way to describe agitation?
‘Patient unable to sit still’
What is a person-centred way to describe agitation?
Words reveal who has power and dominance, and who does not
Why do the words we choose matter?
‘Patient clenching jaw’; ‘Patient shaking siderails of bed’
What is a person-centred way to document agitated behaviour?
Description of observable or verifiable facts and devoid of personal opinions
What does ‘objective’ in PCL mean?
Patient removed gown and walked into nursing station
What is person-centred language to use instead of ‘sexually inappropriate’?
‘Patient shook his cane in the air when writer attempted to provide peri-care’
What is a person-centred way to describe an aggressive behaviour?
‘That patient is abusive’; ‘Watch out he’s a spitter’; ‘Be careful she’s aggressive’
What are examples of fear-based language?
‘Patient not oriented to time or place’; ‘Patient not able to follow instructions’
What is a person-centred way to document confusion?
Avoidance of labelling, infantilizing or stigmatizing language
What is respectful language in PCL?
‘Person with dementia’; ‘Person with substance use disorder’
What is a person-centred way to put the person first?
‘Mr. S. may spit when care is provided. Wear a face mask to protect yourself’
What is a person-centred way to communicate information about safety concerns?
Words that imply that the patient is unpredictably volatile or a threat; words that evoke a strong reaction from the listener
What is fear-based language?
‘Patient slapped nurse’s hand when administering medications’; ‘Patient shouting at nurse, shaking fist in air’
What is a person-centred way to document aggressive behaviour?
Provide specific context and explanation of behaviours without bias or labels
How can we use PCL in responsive behaviours?
‘Put a diaper on him’; ‘Get a bib before you feed him’; ‘She needs a sitter’
What are examples of infantilizing language?