Two Practicial Suggestions

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XVI, Issue 4, 1 October 1927, Page 199

Two Practicial Suggestions

The need for knowledge of the proper way to shut a door, and of voice modulation to control patients, is so self-evident that I would hesitate to send the following remarks, were it not for the frequent expressions of annoyance from patients who have suffered, not always m silence, from seeming thoughtlessness on the part of the nurse.

To close a door, grasp the knob firmly, turn the latch m, holding it m this position until the door is closed. Then turn the latch out and release the knob. This method does away with slamming the door, which is such an annoyance to patients and is one of the reasons wtry hos-

pitals are called "so noisy"; also fewer or no finger marks will be found on the door to be washed off later, a procedure which takes time and energy that are needed elsewhere. An important way to control any patient is to modulate the voice by dropping the tones just beloAv those of the patient. A voice raised to higher tones than those of the patient often causes unaccountable restlessness and irritation, while the lowered tones will not only have a soothing effect upon the sick person but will inspire greater confidence m the nurse. N. Caryl Schooley, R.N.