Veterans who are medical patients and have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Military Sexual Trauma (MST) need special consideration for their condition from medical staff. These PTSD/MST conditions are often forgotten when a hospitalization occurs, whether it be for Covid-19, an accident, or any other episode. And ignoring it can cause incredible trauma to the patient if undiscovered. This talks about “trigger points” – that is parallel real-life episodes, events, appearances, or other conditions that may startle a person with a damage to the amygdala – a portion of the brain that triggers “flight or fight” reactions.
These simple procedures are wildly important and too often overlooked. In most cases unfortunately, trigger points are missed. And because they are missed, and do not show up in the charts, medical teams may not recognize either the trauma or the triggering. That creates a situation where the patient is left feeling afraid, helpless, isolated, and out of control and the medical team does not know what to do.
Here are the tips to keep the patient calm and collected while in your care:
These simple procedures are wildly important and too often overlooked. In most cases unfortunately, trigger points are missed. And because they are missed, and do not show up in the charts, medical teams may not recognize either the trauma or the triggering. That creates a situation where the patient is left feeling afraid, helpless, isolated, and out of control and the medical team does not know what to do.
Here are the tips to keep the patient calm and collected while in your care:
- If you see PTSD or MST in a patient's chart, make it a part of your assessment to ask them (or a family member if they are unable to communicate) about their triggers. You can approach it like this: "I saw in your chart that you have a history of PTSD/MST. Is it okay if I ask you about any specific triggers you have so that I and your care team can be sure to avoid them?"
- Also, make sure to give them an out in case they don't want to talk about it! Some will not.
- Ask what helps to ground them if they are triggered and what members of your medical team can do (or absolutely should not do) to support them.
- For female patients with PTSD/MST, ask if they will prefer female caregivers if staffing allows.
- And, as a rule, do not conduct unnecessarily pelvic exams during anesthesia without prior known consent. It can be a monster trigger point and can-do real damage to sexual assault victims.