Patient Sitters
When there are serious concerns that a patient should not be allowed to remain alone, it may be recommended to add a patient sitter to the health care team. Patient sitters are used in hospitals, nursing or hospice facilities, or in a patient’s home.
A patient sitter remains with the patient at all times, and may have a variety of duties, depending on the specific situation. If there are safety concerns – such as falls, self-harm or flight – the sitter may act mostly as a monitor. Sitters are often used when family members need a break from caregiving, especially for patients with chronic conditions or in hospice situations.
In some situations, a patient sitter may be needed to perform other duties, including:
- Helping to move a patient from one place to another
- Giving medicine
- Assisting with bathing, dressing or feeding
- Performing basic safety techniques
Patient sitters often have some type of medical training. It is important that they at least possess knowledge of basic safety and emergency practices.