I am not a big fan of elevators. I try to take the stairs whenever possible. Last January, I suffered a knee fracture; the injury required me to use the hospital elevator several times a day, for many months. Rather than become angry or frustrated with my circumstances, I used the opportunity to study human behavior. Similar to navigating the freeways during rush hour, riding an elevator; especially in hospitals, requires a certain amount of tact and working knowledge of elevator rules.

Call me quirky, but I do believe there are a number of rules that should be posted inside and outside of every elevator.

Waiting for an Elevator

• Do not block the entrance to the elevator.
  
• Do not push the Up or Down button more than once. (I hate it when I see someone standing there pushing all the buttons in rapid succession.)
  
• If you summon an elevator, stick around and wait for the darn thing. (There is nothing more aggravating than stopping at a given floor and finding no one waiting when the doors open).

Boarding an Elevator

• Wait for everyone to get off of an elevator before trying to board.
  
• Allow patients on gurneys and in wheel chairs to board the elevator first.
  
• Men should step inside the elevator ahead of a lady to push the “hold door” open button for her. Trying to hold the door with his arm may result in the door closing on the lady.

• Do not push your way into an overly crowded elevator unless specifically invited

• Pushing floor buttons: Do not reach across someone to push the floor button, ask in a pleasant manner for someone to push the appropriate button. Allow the person closest to the controls to “operate” them. If this is you, remember this position requires increased responsibility.

Riding in the Elevator

• Do not crowd around a patient on a gurney and talk loudly, laugh or eat food over them, in front of them and around them, as if they don’t exist. Acknowledge the patient in a quiet respectful voice.

• Do not ask patients about their condition, in a crowded elevator. Don’t say, “Going to surgery huh? Dr. Smith, huh? You must be nervous. Better you than me!”
  
• If you are the nurse responsible for the safe transport of your patient in an elevator; do not allow your patient to be exposed in any manner. Do not allow tubes or drains to accidentally leak or become dislodged in an elevator.  
  
• Singing, laughing and whistling should be discouraged.
  
• If riding to the top floor, ride in the back of the elevator. 
  
• If getting off just one floor up, stand toward the front of the elevator. 
  
• Do not continue personal or work-related conversations in a heavily occupied elevator. If you enter the elevator while someone else is having a conversation-do not assume arrival is an invitation to join in. Remember, there may be grieving family members, frightened patients or other employees with hidden agendas listening. 

• If you are alone in an elevator with a stranger of the opposite sex; be careful what you say and how it might be perceived. Stick to the weather!
  
• If you are sick; do not use the elevator. Coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose and then touching elevator buttons will turn the elevator into a thriving Petri dish for all unsuspecting inhabitants.
  
• Do not allow ignorant parents and caretakers to allow a child to sit on the floor of an elevator.

Exiting an Elevator         

• Exit the elevator quickly and efficiently.

• Allow patients to exit first, if convenient.

• Hold the door and assist caretakers with gurneys, IV poles and related patient equipment.

The next time you find yourself in an elevator-think about my rules. Do you have elevator etiquette?