self mutilating patients

[nightengalegoddess]

Hi. I had a new type of patient tonight. I can't tell you exactly what he did to himself or any nurse I work with will know who I am here. Let's just say, he dug into his flesh into his innards and ate some. Now of course there is a fistula and NG and an awful lot of draining into a catheter bag for the innards. Being it was night, and the surgery team is invisible; I don't know what the heck the plan is. No wound vac or anything. Also, this was a prisoner, and a schitzophrenic. I am new at a county hospital. Please tell me about these kinds of people and help me understand. I have a hard time respecting and am facing spiritual challenges caring for this person.

[nightengalegoddess]

I actually looked at policy. I haven't found any! How bout that?!