[nursebedlam]

1 in 3 nurses bashed by patients

One in three Japanese nurses has been physically abused by one of their patients over the past year, according to an alarming survey by the Japanese Nursing Association.

More than 10 percent of nurses also claimed to have been verbally assaulted, while a further nearly 10 percent said patients had sexually harassed them.

JNA officials are calling for systematic changes to offer them greater protection from those who they are taking care of.

"Drug addicts being carried in ambulances apparently cause a lot of problems. Nurses are at the forefront of dealing with these problems, so we want people to be aware that nurses suffer violence at the hands of patients, while we feel that there is a need for our organization to do something about it," Rie Suzuki, a representative of the JNA, said.

JNA polled 1,214 nurses, 383 of who said they had been subjected to physical violence at the hands of a patient during the past 12 months. Abuse included slaps, punches and kicks.

Another 133 said they had been verbally abused, while 97 claimed to have been sexually harassed.

Biggest offenders were demented elderly and substance abusers such as alcoholics and drug addicts.

JNA members suggested greater numbers of staff on night duty would ease their troubles, while others hinted they could be saved through increased security measures such as the creation of ID cards to prevent strangers from getting close to them, and the placement of security cameras to act as a deterrent. (Mainichi Shimbun, July 31, 2004)


http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20040...dm009000c.html

[Havin' A Party!]

I'd say the addition of a couple of terms of formal jiu jitsu to their program is called for.

[Dr. Gonzo]

This is sad to hear the nurses are trying to help the patients and they dont appreciated im sick and tired of hearing this but maybe if the nurses hit them back or verbally abused as well maybe it wouldnt happen so often these patients need to know their is gonna be consequences for hitting nurses if a patient ever hits me their ending up in the OR then the ICU.

[Ion]

Solution: Mutual Combat. There is nothing in the Nurse Practice Act that says I can't fight back.

My therapeutic communication with patients:

"You try and bite me, and I'll punch you in the face."

"Grab my arm, and I'll snap yours at the elbow."

[mackrn]

Originally Posted by Ion

Solution: Mutual Combat. There is nothing in the Nurse Practice Act that says I can't fight back.

My therapeutic communication with patients:

"You try and bite me, and I'll punch you in the face."

"Grab my arm, and I'll snap yours at the elbow."

I maybe a nurse, but am also a nurse that is 6'1" and 270 lbs. with a background as a self defense instructor at Parris Island (USMC), rated in the world as a free style wrestler in my youth and short period of time as a professional football player. Don't get overly aggressive when the patients go after me, but have been known to take down patients that go after the women I work with. My response is that this is a teaching hospital and they know have been taught what happens when you try to injure a nurse. I am now called for all the patients that are out of control.

[Havin' A Party!]

Originally Posted by mackrn

... this is a teaching hospital and they know have been taught what happens when you try to injure a nurse...

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

[veteranRN]

Sometimes being a nurse reminds me of a battered wife. The husband just expects the wife to shut up and take it. It is what is expected of them. Just like society and nursing. I am so tired of hearing that caring for verbally and physically abusive patients is just part of the job or they simply don't know better (alzheimers). I would like to turn the places where I work into "teaching hospitals"

[danu3]

Things like this make me feel that all nurses should take self-defense as part of the requirement in nursing school. Maybe some police training will help.

Or I guess one can learn some practical Aikido techniques. According to one instructor I met, he has a very good insight into Aikido. Besically he said Aikido teaches you to get out of the way - with style and dignity. That is, if someone attacks, you know how to get out of the way looking real good

-Dan

[danu3]

Just curious, can nurses press charges to patient who phsyically abuse them? I would imagine one could, right?

-Dan

[Ion]

Originally Posted by danu3

Just curious, can nurses press charges to patient who phsyically abuse them? I would imagine one could, right?

-Dan

Yes. In my state it is a felony. You can always press charges for assault and battery, but in AZ assault on a healthcare worker is a felony. Assault, I understand, includes threats (without battery).

I consider it your duty to press charges. All nurses need to work to end mistreatment of healthcare workers by patients, patients' families... (doctors )


USMC 1995-1999