Help....How do you Protect yourself?

rn-jane · Dec 3, 2007

A TB patient without droplet precautions and a private room with negative airflow is foolish and warrants an immediate call to Infection Control and Risk Management. (I'd be amazed if this wasn't triggered immediately upon dx)
HIV, however, is just standard precautions unless there is some other acute infection.

No, this patient was placed in a private neg airflow room, he originally was adimitted with lung abcesses til the pulmologist saw him. Once he suspected tb placed him in a private room as above(I was in charge that day) and i contacted infection control. At our hospital we are told to gown, mask and gloved but alot of nurses weren't doing it, which boggles my mind.

Penny8611 · Dec 3, 2007

And, after taking microbiology, you will also learn that you are theoretically at risk in your home, in your backyard, at the mall, and at the grocery store.

Ain't that the truth? I see women everywhere going into contortions to not touch The Dreaded Toilet Seat, but will then leave the restroom after briefly rinsing hands (no soap) and opening the restroom door barehanded. If they only knew. ;-)

bigjim · Dec 3, 2007

I meant physical dangers....

What I did was to arrange to be born freakishly large. That seems to keep me out of most physical danger. However, you are posting here, so I assume you have already been born, so this may not work for you.

Truthfully, while I am very big (6'4" and over 350 lb) I have found that actually attracts trouble from some types, so I made sure I was prepared. I have had over 10 years of martial arts and some other self-defense training, and I have a CCW permit (which I do not take to work). Whether you are willing/able to put this kind of time and effort to stay safer (because you can only make yourself "safer", you cannot guarantee you will be "safe") is up to you.

You could certainly take some self-defense classes. If you are not the fighting type, there are classes that focus more on situational awareness, avoidance, and escape. Physical conditioning is important too, whether to fight or to get away, and to avoid injury when/if attacked.

Also, knowing ahead of time when a patient/family member/area/situation is dangerous or violent as much as possible, and developing instincts to help you know this, is important. That way you can avoid those situations, or at least go into them with enough help, and the right kind of help.

Good luck to you.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2007

I meant physical dangers....

what kind of physical

slipping and falling

back injuries, i always wear my back braces.

psycho combatants, what can you say about the psychotics, except beware at all times.

disruptive parents, I remember one nurse who was dumb enough to get inbetween 2 enraged fathers, in some stupid incident.

Prisoners, never assume the police are totally alert to whats they are doing. More often than nought, Ive seen them posing for the cute young nurses.

accidental injuries. I hated my contaminated HIV and Hep C needle stick. Im still negative 6 yrs later.

In ER injuries can come from any of many hard to anticipate sources.

I saw a 96 yr old grandmother of a 45 yo grandson, pull her cane and hit a nurse, who she felt was being mean to her grandson. who anticipate that happening. She was starting an IV...BTW

ready4crna? · Dec 3, 2007

what kind of physical
slipping and falling
back injuries, i always wear my back braces.
psycho combatants, what can you say about the psychotics, except beware at all times.
disruptive parents, I remember one nurse who was dumb enough to get inbetween 2 enraged fathers, in some stupid incident.
Prisoners, never assume the police are totally alert to whats they are doing. More often than nought, Ive seen them posing for the cute young nurses.
accidental injuries. I hated my contaminated HIV and Hep C needle stick. Im still negative 6 yrs later.
In ER injuries can come from any of many hard to anticipate sources.
I saw a 96 yr old grandmother of a 45 yo grandson, pull her cane and hit a nurse, who she felt was being mean to her grandson. who anticipate that happening. She was starting an IV...BTW

:lol2: Ain't it the truth... the little bitties always packed the biggest punches. I had one nearly break my pinkie for trying to take her pudding before she was finished. Discharge promptly followed.

But seriously, Tony, I always found that a taser, bullwhip, and a chair would help you in most situations.

Ok no really now, the best way to protect yourself is to be aware, listen to your instincts (unless your a lemming), and be cordial to people. Even the psychotics would get stopped briefly with a calm voice and inappropropriate crazy smile given at the right moment.

Overland1, RN · Dec 3, 2007

Take a look at courses such as TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention); this may be a great help in dealing with patients and family members who are on the edge, or who may have crossed the line.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2007

I got the crazy part down

Speak softly and carry a pitching wedge

casi, ASN, RN · Dec 3, 2007

What about mild sexual abuse? As someone who loves working with people with dementia I've had quite a few 80 year old men grabbing things I'd rather they wouldn't grab.

Also going hand in hand with the groping demented old men, a lot of biting, kicking, hitting little old ladies.

I've learned to protect myself by always being an arms length away from those I know can easily become violent/sexually inappropriate. I also have learned how to read the body language of this population.

You can always be on your toes watching for the worst, but there will be times that you just don't read the cues.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2007

Ive never heard of mild sexual abuse

ready4crna? · Dec 3, 2007

Ive never heard of mild sexual abuse

Oh, sure you have- Along with partially pregnant and a little dead.

TonyFl · Dec 5, 2007

Actually....i wasn't referring to physical violence....i was referring to "germs" and "communicable" disease.

Guess we went off tangent with this one...