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Tickets to thank the staff? EMS do not allow everything
In a Vaudoise institution, caregivers have been deprived of money slipped into an envelope by the family of a deceased resident.
Making a gesture to the staff who surrounded a deceased loved one is understandable. But if they are money gifts, rules apply.
KEYSTONE / CHRISTIAN BEUTLER
- Species in nursing staff are problematic.
- Gifts like flowers or chocolates remain acceptable according to the directives.
- Donations must be shared between all employees of the institutions.
- Certain exceptions are tolerated to preserve the link with residents.
This is a delicate question that can arise for many families: how thank The devoted staff ofand EMS In which a loved one unfortunately deceased? A small bank ticket slipped into an envelope? This species of species recently occurred in a Vaudois EMS, but if the intention was laudable, the idea was not to the taste of management.
After the death of an elderly resident, his relatives had entrusted several closed envelopes to an official of the institution, in order to mark their gratitude towards several members of the nursing staff. Except that when the recipients of the envelopes received them, they had been opened and the tickets had disappeared. Reason invoked by the manager: An article of the regulation prohibits purely and simply this kind of practice. Note that the amount which appeared in the envelopes was not mentioned to them.
EMS redistributes
We contacted the foundation management that manages this EMS. She did not wish her name to be disclosed in the press. However, she assures that the money has not ended in her pocket, but in a common pot which will serve for a meal or which will be distributed fairly within the staff in the form of vouchers for example. According to the institution, cash donations may only reward the staff on the front line and not the one who works in the shadows.
The management confirms that the rules governing the practices in terms of thanks appear in an internal regulation, itself inspired by a directive enacted by Hévivathe Vaud professional association of medico-psycho-social institutions of the canton of Vaud.
Directives in the canton of Vaud
So what are the good practices? We will have understood, donations by cash payment, we forget. “These situations can be problematic because each other’s sensitivities differ in this regard … When a money donation is received, it should be documented and redistributed in accordance with the rules established by the institution,” reads the directive. The other types of gifts, excluding money, such as flowers or chocolate, are authorized “if they are reasonable compared to the circumstances”.
Do you want to make a gift or a donation in favor of the institution? This situation should not be a problem, even if it is money, or that the donation is important, as long as the person who offered the gift or makes the donation has not been asked or influenced and that it has its full capacity for discernment.
Do you like to thank all the staff? No problem again, since it generally involves sharing between all. Be careful however if you want to target a staff category, for example a floor of the establishment or the day team. Héviva judges this case “problematic”. Just as than to thank only one personnel member, due to the principle of equal treatment, both between residents and members of the institution staff.
Do not break confidence
There are, however, a number of situations in which the refusal of a donation by staff could break up the bond of trust established with the resident, and create unnecessary stress. The ability to discern residents can be at stake. Héviva gives two examples: a resident wishes to pay the medical consultation and gives 100 francs to the doctor; A resident regularly distributes small gifts to staff or gives 2 francs after each care act or support, to pay the service. “In this type of situations, it is advisable to accept the gift and return it to the person indirectly.”
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