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by lauralassie

I was so frustrated the other night I couldn't see straight. A pt, who is an illegal immagrant, went off in our triage are because they didn't like the triage process. When our nurse tech went over to try to calm the pt., they went off on him, grabbing areas that are painful on males, hiting him, kneeing him, scratching him. After a long night with the pt. a detective comes and looks at the tape of the incident and says , it wasn't assult, (because the tech walked into the situation. )And ! , it was unlawful restraint of a pt. All he was trying to do was calm the pt. He did place his hands on the pt's sholders but, he in no way used restraint.. It wasn't until the pt let loose on him that he defended himself. Now he has to have HIV testing and has to worry about law suit because the family is now talking, latino lawers. The detective said we should have waited on the police. (what a load of bull *(#!#####&*^#!) Since when are medical personel not allowed to take control of situations that can be a danger to other pt's and staff. There were other pt's sitting near, including children. If something happened to them we would have been liable too. I don't understand.

[Lacie]

Re: Use of restraint on out of control pt....look out !

You may want to read this thread on the Voy forum located http://www.voy.com/140037/9808.html This individual also posted here initially and they have been through hell because of a very similar situation. It is a shame yes but it does happen. This individuals husband now has a permanent mark on his license and had to fight with the BON. Every nurse should take heed to stories such as these. Just reading her husbands story is absolutely frightening!

[Cattitude]

Re: Use of restraint on out of control pt....look out !

Originally Posted by lauralassie

I was so frustrated the other night I couldn't see straight. A pt, who is an illegal immagrant, went off in our triage are because they didn't like the triage process. When our nurse tech went over to try to calm the pt., they went off on him, grabbing areas that are painful on males, hiting him, kneeing him, scratching him. After a long night with the pt. a detective comes and looks at the tape of the incident and says , it wasn't assult, (because the tech walked into the situation. )And ! , it was unlawful restraint of a pt. All he was trying to do was calm the pt. He did place his hands on the pt's sholders but, he in no way used restraint.. It wasn't until the pt let loose on him that he defended himself. Now he has to have HIV testing and has to worry about law suit because the family is now talking, latino lawers. The detective said we should have waited on the police. (what a load of bull *(#!#####&*^#!) Since when are medical personel not allowed to take control of situations that can be a danger to other pt's and staff. There were other pt's sitting near, including children. If something happened to them we would have been liable too. I don't understand.

This really stinks. I understand the detective has a job to do but was the patient hurt? If not what will they sue for?? At least the tech. does not have a license to worry about losing. This is still utter BS. It's getting to the point where it's like walking on eggshells to give good nursing care.

[gitterbug]

Re: Use of restraint on out of control pt....look out !

Once again this is another reason why ER's are closing or limiting their scope of practice. I would not want to work in an ER in many areas today.
Instead of being thankful for getting care and treatment, these illegal individuals are clogging the system and demanding to call all of the shots. I am sorry your coworker was injured, I hope there are no legal complications from this altercation. If the detective says police should be present before treatment can be started, then a meeting with administration should take place and a plan of action should be established for the care and treatment of these individuals and for the protection of staff. Sure, and I am selling the London Bridge tomorrow at auction. LOL!

[Batman24]

Re: Use of restraint on out of control pt....look out !

That's awful. I would check with the detective's superior here. Perhaps the hospital and management will also get involved. If the dectective is saying unlawful restraint and reports that to this out of control patient then you can be sure that a suit is on the way. Seems like some of you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. My heart really goes out to all of you.

And if you are in this country illegally I don't think you should get a dime. You shouldn't even be here so this incident should never have even have happened.

[Tweety]

Re: Use of restraint on out of control pt....look out !

I don't understand either. It's a sad day when health care providers get attacked and then aren't supported in the aftermath. In Florida it's a felony to assault a health care provider. Thank goodness local police here are very supportive of our ER and their "taking down" of violent patients. I wish your coworker well.

(The fact the patient was illegal immigrant is of no consequence is it?)

[morte]

Re: Use of restraint on out of control pt....look out !

yup, def go up the "food chain" at the pd....esp if the det is of the same ethnicity as the illegal......good luck

[Freedom42]

Re: Use of restraint on out of control pt....look out !

Originally Posted by lauralassie

I was so frustrated the other night I couldn't see straight. A pt, who is an illegal immagrant, went off in our triage are because they didn't like the triage process.

No one should be assaulted on the job. I'm curious, though: How do you know the patient is an illegal immigrant? Why is that relevant, and what is the significance of "Latino lawyers?"

[subee]

Re: Use of restraint on out of control pt....look out !

Originally Posted by Tweety

I don't understand either. It's a sad day when health care providers get attacked and then aren't supported in the aftermath. In Florida it's a felony to assault a health care provider. Thank goodness local police here are very supportive of our ER and their "taking down" of violent patients. I wish your coworker well.

(The fact the patient was illegal immigrant is of no consequence is it?)

You are kidding aren't you? Its of tremendous consequence if your ER is closing because it can't afford to stay open. And then it becomes even more difficult for the poor people to get care. You can't turn someone away looking for care in an ER but you can turn them away at the border.

[earle58]

Re: Use of restraint on out of control pt....look out !

Originally Posted by Freedom42

No one should be assaulted on the job. I'm curious, though: How do you know the patient is an illegal immigrant? Why is that relevant, and what is the significance of "Latino lawyers?"

it sounds like the op is stating that if the pt was latino and their lawyer was latino, then the case would be somewhat biased.
i don't know how the immigration status is known but if he was illegal, it gives the case that much less credibility....don't you think?

leslie