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Abuse, neglect or exploitation of a patient or resident of a care facility is a crime.

I am sure all reading are thinking that they would never tolerate any such behavior. But do you?

Think of the unconcious post op that comes in with bizarre tatoos or piercings. Remember that head patient screaming, fighting,spitting and punching their way out of the semi coma state. How about the new spinal injury with priapus? The traumathat comes into the ER with a limb sitting next to them.

Now think of the nurse who was pointing out and commently on those tatoos in a nasty way. Who yelled back at that head pt or slapped his bottom to ease him pulling during a turn. Did someonesnarl back at that pt or sqeezed a limb hard to gain attention or the upper hand? Did someone lift the sheets and expose the ptwhose constant erection they thought funny enough to show all?

Do you remember that attempted suicide? The one who lite himself on fire? Nurses talking freely about him,skin flying,fluids pumping,and thinking in his sedated state he could not hear? Or the self inflicted stab pt, a medical person, and the discussion that was held in her presence?

Remember that trauma pt, fireman and rescue present,limbs being tossed back and forth. Such gaity in a room full of such loss. Now I know what one says. We were kidding. It was tension compensation. They could not hear us. Come on now, the rescueguys thought it was funny. Oh you have no sence of humor!

Patient abuse and neglect comes in many shapes,forms and degrees. It is kicked aside,rationalized and overlooked by themajority. Professionals afraid to be different and speak up. Not wanting to cause a stir,loose a friend or provoke the click.

Yet we say we advocate for the patient and family. Who rights do we really protect by allowing some of the behavior we do?