Do you arrest abusive patients?

[RNin92]

We are having a debate on and off about whether or not to arrest someone who is abusive in the ED.

Not someone who has assaulted a staff memeber...that's a "no brainer"...bye bye my friend...enjoy your new wardrobe of orange!

I'm talking about those who threaten you or are verbally abusive.

I realize that we would be filling up the jail cells...but the PD should have plenty of room...since they bring IN all those drunks who are "Too drunk to go to jail" anyway...

I'm not sure if it's worth it or not.

Any thoughts...

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Tom -- It's a new cable service we're now able to subscribe to here. Part of the "Smell-o-Vision" tier... only an extra $11.99 / month.

eeewwwwwww

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

It's a cooking channel featuring a variety of spicey dishes and the occasional nature program. :rotfl:[/Q

That sounds nicer

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

My old facility's secutity had that hand's off approach. They were NOT allowed to TOUCH any patient, period. Well, here I am in the ICU with a 2PC (2 psyc. docs. legally commit them for 24 hours, peroid because they are a danger to self and others). Well, buddy, all 250 lbs of him tears off the tely, is in my face fist raised demanding to leave, security is called and all they can do it stand there pissing their pants??

I give the patient the official wave to the elevator while smiling. !!!!

When the hospital is serious about my safety, I'll be serious about keeping their patient where he needs to be. And I won't be lifting up the near by walker to stirr up trouble either :rotfl:

NOw, have had an impatient, A&Ox3 tell me the SO was waiting for me outside to kick my *** because I wouldn't change vistation. I called the sheriff, pressed charges against both. The sheriff, came explained to the patient, who then sincerely groveled. I held my charges, the patient was arrested at discharge, I appeared at court, and the patient convicted.

Meanwhile, hospital admin got involved, explained to me why I was over reacting, although they couldn't guarentee my safety to the car... and politely and firmly told me to drop the charges, which I didn't.

so no, hospitals don't back you up, the law does.... use it.. but know those little stinkers in administration have no memory loss when review time comes.

But it's worth it, God love those administration stinkers, they learned their lesson, when an employees purse was snatched walking to her car, she was beat to a pulp and sued. and won

Been through that

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Hmmmm...losing time at work...let me think...OK.

I know it sucks, but sometimes it is worth it.

Besides, since most of these guys are the drunks that PD doesn't want in their jail cell, if I call them for an arrest, they HAVE to come and sit with my "mr. happy" patient until release and take him away in cuffs. It is amazing how quickly they suddenly want a release signed.

Maybe if we do it often enough they will keep these drunks in their jails where they belong anyway.

I prefer my pay and my golf

been in court too many times now

[septicwad]

If you have an obnoxious drug-seeking patient in the ER, get a positive identification on them and call the police department to see if they have any wants or warrants for arrest.

[stretch thin]

Where I work is in the bad part of town and to top it off we also have a behavioral hospital across the street from us. So you can only imagine what we get. Our security guards are limited to what they can do and for PD, oh that's a joke. Their the ones bringing them in. Anyway in cases where the patient is extremly verbally abuse, that's when you give them the 10 & 2. DEFINITION you ask 10mg of Haldol and 2 of Ativan. There wonderful drugs, unless the pt has been taking PCP. Nothing pulls those pts down. I had one doctor get so angry at a patient that was being verbally abuse, he intubated him and then he said TAKE THAT! We all busted up laughing. I know not nice, but it was funny

[GDog7NYC]

If a patient can yell and scream and me and my staff, then quite obviously, there's VERY minimal need for emergency care. We call security to escort them out of the ER and if they still refuse to leave, then we'll call our precinct to have them removed from the premises.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Where I work is in the bad part of town and to top it off we also have a behavioral hospital across the street from us. So you can only imagine what we get. Our security guards are limited to what they can do and for PD, oh that's a joke. Their the ones bringing them in. Anyway in cases where the patient is extremly verbally abuse, that's when you give them the 10 & 2. DEFINITION you ask 10mg of Haldol and 2 of Ativan. There wonderful drugs, unless the pt has been taking PCP. Nothing pulls those pts down. I had one doctor get so angry at a patient that was being verbally abuse, he intubated him and then he said TAKE THAT! We all busted up laughing. I know not nice, but it was funny

not even funny

[CHATSDALE]

I Work In A Mental Facility Nursing Home We Have No On Site Security We Frequently Have To Call In City Police To Assist With A Violent Resident Funny They Seem To Respect A Police Uniform They Usally Cooperate When Cops Come In

[Iam46yearsold]

I dont like violence in the ER.

However I am in excellent physical shape. and have studied judo since I was young. But still I am carefull.

[Batman24]

My old facility's secutity had that hand's off approach. They were NOT allowed to TOUCH any patient, period. Well, here I am in the ICU with a 2PC (2 psyc. docs. legally commit them for 24 hours, peroid because they are a danger to self and others). Well, buddy, all 250 lbs of him tears off the tely, is in my face fist raised demanding to leave, security is called and all they can do it stand there ******* their pants??

I give the patient the official wave to the elevator while smiling. !!!!

When the hospital is serious about my safety, I'll be serious about keeping their patient where he needs to be. And I won't be lifting up the near by walker to stirr up trouble either :rotfl:

NOw, have had an impatient, A&Ox3 tell me the SO was waiting for me outside to kick my *** because I wouldn't change vistation. I called the sheriff, pressed charges against both. The sheriff, came explained to the patient, who then sincerely groveled. I held my charges, the patient was arrested at discharge, I appeared at court, and the patient convicted.

Meanwhile, hospital admin got involved, explained to me why I was over reacting, although they couldn't guarentee my safety to the car... and politely and firmly told me to drop the charges, which I didn't.

so no, hospitals don't back you up, the law does.... use it.. but know those little stinkers in administration have no memory loss when review time comes.

But it's worth it, God love those administration stinkers, they learned their lesson, when an employees purse was snatched walking to her car, she was beat to a pulp and sued. and won

Bravo!! I hate to read about hospitals who always blame the victim and try to pressure them to drop charges, etc. It's disgusting. Good for you for staying the course and protecting yourself and other medical staff for the future. Maybe another nurse, doctor, etc. will follow your lead next time they are threatened or abused as well.

[Iam46yearsold]

I have had a few arrested.