Abuse Towards Nurses...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Oncology RN.

Is it just me, or are patients getting worse?? In light of the whole change of focus being on customer service rather than the healing arts, I feel like it has gone to the heads of a lot of people.

For example, we had one patient who was a blatant racist...constant verbal abuse of nurses who were not white. He complains to the patient advocate about getting blood on his tattered shirt (when he refused to take it off even though he had a draining wound), and the hospital gives him money to buy a new shirt.

We had another patient who verbally attacked the nurses, and he was rewarded with a fruit basket courtesy of our hospital.

I've seen nurses verbally attacked and been threatened physical harm, and I have heard of nurses who are physically attacked by patients as well.

I've always felt that nurses should have some sort of protection, or legal recourse when they are abused. If this patient were out of the hospital and did this, they would not get rewarded with a fruit basket, to say the least. However, whenever I talk to my coworkers about it, their basic attitude is that it comes with the job, and there is nothing that can be done as patients satisfaction comes first.

I totally disagree. I can understand and accept a certain amount of crabbiness from patients as they are sick and do not particularly want to be in a hospital. However, I will not stand there and tolerate a patient threatening me nor my coworkers just because he happens to be gunning for A-hole of the Year Award.

So, I guess my questions to you are: what sort of policies does you facility have to protect nurses from abuse? If a patient (fully within his/her mental capacity) strikes a nurse, do the police become involved? Is the patient still accountable for their actions while they are in a hospital? I guess I am tired of seeing hospitals reward patients for bad behavior, while leaving their nurses out in the cold. No wonder nurses are leaving the profession in droves.

I'm just interested in everyone's opinions, and maybe any experiences they've had...

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Threats of physical violence are illegal. Law overrides hospital policy anyday. Patients are legally responsible for threats or assaults on nurses and the police will get involved.

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Just food for thought: I've seen it where the patient was verbally and physically assaulted and was escorted by the law out of the ER.....then later to find that they had a severe case of viral meningitis. To hear some more stories...go to http://www.overlakehospital.com

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Here is my solution.

Always always always call security and ask them to come because you have a Pt that is being unruly. Once you have started that ball rolling document everything that was said. Begin the action so that you are the complaintant, you are reporting and in fear of actual physical harm.

I am a very big man 6"6 and way over 200lbs and I have had Pts start this type of thing with me and I am always the first to call security and try to keep things from escalating. I will also call them if I see someone treating a fellow nurse in this manner and i will step in and ask them if they need assistance if I hear abusive behavior.

The "Facility" has an image and does not want to be the bad guy. However if you have established througg proper channels that the Pt is noncompliant and abusive it wil usually take a different turn. Once the Security officers are involved and they document abusive behavior the facility will usually fall in line.

You as a citizen have the right to press charges against anyone that assaults you the Pt is not the only one with rights, we are all americans and have rights you facility may not approve but if you have honestly been abused you should fight them and make sure they understand how bad they look if they fail to support you The staff!

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Originally posted by NorthStar

Just food for thought: I've seen it where the patient was verbally and physically assaulted and was escorted by the law out of the ER.....then later to find that they had a severe case of viral meningitis. To hear some more stories...go to http://www.overlakehospital.com

Yeah, but the lady starting this site is a NUTCASE. She refers to herself as "Supreme Webmaster". I would take anything on this website with a grain of salt.

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Originally posted by DieTryin'

Yeah, but the lady starting this site is a NUTCASE. She refers to herself as "Supreme Webmaster". I would take anything on this website with a grain of salt.

I would have to agree

1. If you don't think you are getting good care or good answers go to a different facility.

2. Did she have a PCP because she doesn't mention seeing anyone except ER docs. although she says she was able to self diagnose from allergies for dummies.

3. Hmmmmmm The hospital sued her for charges ding ding ding REVENGE!

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A number of years ago I responded with about 8 other staff members to a situation in which a patient was becoming combative and hitting. We had at least 9 or us, mostly guys and lil'ol me (very stubborn) along with security to restrain this out of control pt. well, don't ya know he got a leg loose, twisted to the side and kicked me straight on into my chin, broke my jaw and I have bilateral TMJ problems.

At first I regarded the on-the-job injury as "just one of those things that happens" because this pt had been (I heard) confused and in with "pseudo-seizures" (should have been my first tip off). Later that night, just as coherent as can be, he asked the night nurse if he thought I'd be mad because he (the pt) had hurt me. bingo-the guy knew perfectly well what he had done when he did it.

staff called me at home the next day to let me know what he had said. My next call was to the police department to press assault charges against him. Suprise suprise, he signed out AMA and skipped the state. So unless he gets stopped for something, he probably won't be charged in my assault.

So, unfortunately, I can't chew bagels or some steaks or talk for long periods of time without my jaw hurting.

Patients and family members are getting much more violent and beligerent. It hurts nurses in many ways-physically and emotionally. The added stress certainly affects the burn out rate of nurses today.

The question is what to do about it. Having a supportive director and facility administration is imperative Unfortunately I would imagine it is rare. It is important to set limits on behavior and the second they cross the line, security or the local police need to be notified.

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Yes I think many patients and family members believe they are entitled to be rude. If hospital policy did not allow this- they would stop. But too many hospitals are afraid that rude patients who are not treated with kid gloves will go to the competing hospital down the street- so we nurses and staff are thrown to the wolves.

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I agree P&P should be established. It first needs to start with The State Boards of Nursing. There are far too many complaints and lawsuits brought on the medical profession including nurses and the medical professional has to defend their license against some people who are trying to make some money or retaliate for the patients or families negligence or abuse of themsleves or family members. Unfortuanely, many nurses eat their own. As long as this type of attitude is supported by our culture more and more nurses will leave the profession and less will want to become nurses.:o

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Originally posted by NorthStar

Just food for thought: I've seen it where the patient was verbally and physically assaulted and was escorted by the law out of the ER.....then later to find that they had a severe case of viral meningitis. To hear some more stories...go to http://www.overlakehospital.com

I've read through some of this website and I noticed one part about her being stuck with a needle and being "forced" to have an HIV test. She goes on to say why didn't they just test the nurse? This is a person who is obviously uneducated when it comes to HIV needle sticks and what ever else medical. She even claims to have saved a life.

It's in some way this website slander?

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Worked in 2 facilities that security ran the other way when patients became abusive and unruly. Have told supervisor that unless "BIG MEN" handled certain patients, (policemen) I would perfer charges for assualt. Standing up for my rights was never appreciated by administrations. They do want that dollar. Once saw a pregnant nurse kicked by a patient as we can throught door. Other male nurse took care of patient, knocked him out in one punch. Me? I did not see a thing. Pregnant nurse was put off duty by Doc. NEVER worked another day in a facility setting.

Sure we have rights but it may cost us a job if we exercise them. I agree that we need to stand up for ourselves and not take abuse from these patients and families. Customer satisfaction is just another way of telling staff to "shut up and take it" or "do as we tell you to do". Either way, we as nurses have to decide what is enough, draw a line, and maintain that line. Respect is a 2 way street.

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Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Psych.
Originally posted by NorthStar

Just food for thought: I've seen it where the patient was verbally and physically assaulted and was escorted by the law out of the ER.....then later to find that they had a severe case of viral meningitis. To hear some more stories...go to http://www.overlakehospital.com

It's a joke site. Copyright 2001. Someone is having a ball.:chuckle

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