In the city of N, in the complicated trauma department of the city clinical hospital, an event that shook one woman’s life and led to major changes in the institution’s policies took place.
As part of his outreach work, the REActor visited a client who had been hospitalized the previous day in the department. During the encounter, he noticed a blue plastic bracelet worn on the client’s arm containing her personal information, ward abbreviation, room number, and information about her HIV-positive status. When asked by the REActor about the significance of this information, the client explained that bracelets with similar data were common among patients and that the information about her HIV status had been added after the ward manager made rounds.
The REActor attempts to have the confidential information removed from the bracelet was resisted by the ward manager, who asserted that he was well versed in clinical protocol and did not consider it necessary to take into account the comments of “amateurs”.
Having understood the situation, the REactor sent a complaint to the chief physician of the hospital. Thanks to this complaint, an immediate order was given to remove confidential information from the patient’s bracelet. The department head was reprimanded and then fired due to multiple prior violations, including disregard for patient rights.
This story is an example of how determination and fighting for justice can lead to systemic change. It emphasizes the importance of respecting patients’ rights to privacy and protection from discrimination based on their health. The REActor was able to bring change to a previously unjust system, demonstrating that everyone has the right to have their interests respected and protected.
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