Suicidal man at nurses' station

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in med-surg/ tele.

This happened last week at work... About 1500, I walk around the corner into the nurses' station and see all the nurses, the CNO and the asst. admin standing there. I asked what is going on and one of the nurses point to a man sitting in front of the station with a hospital gown and jeans on. She says that a few minutes earlier, he had walked up to the station and told the secretary that he was going to kill himself. He had walked out of the hospital across the street, came in the front doors (pass security:uhoh3:) and up to the third floor where we are. So she calls admin people and they were trying to figure out what to do. The CNO is on the phone with the house doc and the asst. admin is talking to the US with his back to the patient. I immediately went to the asst admin and asked him why this man isn't isolated away from us. He gets a "look" and asks me why. I tell him "Are you serious? This guy just walked in and said he's about to kill himself. He could very possibly have a weapon of some sort, he obviously has psych issues and this makes him a potential danger to us, our patients and visitors". He rolls his eyes and told me (very condescendingly) that the situation is under control, that I don't have anything to worry about. At that very moment, the house doc strolls off the elevator, sees the guy and says that the patient needed to be isolated before anything else was done. So he's taken to a vacant room and that's that. But before the asst admin gets on the elevator, he comes back up to the station and tells us all that we never had anything to worry about, blah blah blah. When he walked off, he made eye contact with me and gave me one of those "you stupid idiot looks" (which I returned):smokin:. I haven't seen this POS since it happened, but I have a feeling he has it in for me now. He's only been here about 6 months, he's kind of youngish and still seems kind of insecure in his roll. I'm not the type to look for trouble, but I speak up for myself and my co-workers when nobody else will. Any advice? Thanks, guys...

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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.

"Nothing to worry about"

I'd have asked, "is that statement based on your vast experience with psychiatric patients or your vast educational background in psychiatric crisis management?"

But I'm a smart-ass...

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

What an idiot! He is even more foolish for turning his back to the patient. If he keeps up that up he is going to find out the hard way of why you never turn your back on a pysch patient.

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Specializes in med-surg/ tele.
"Nothing to worry about"

I'd have asked, "is that statement based on your vast experience with psychiatric patients or your vast educational background in psychiatric crisis management?"

But I'm a smart-ass...

LOL! Well, I would have said more but the last time I had an issue with him was when he had guaranteed a VIP pt that she would have her bath at 9am sharp every morning. Of course, all hell was breaking loose and my aide wasn't able to get to her until 10. The patient called this dumba$$ to her room and complained. Of course, he called me in there to "explain myself". I basically told him (nicely) that nothing can be guaranteed at a certain time on a floor like this and if he decided to tell a patient something ike that again, he needed to be prepared to do it himself. I really was professional about the whole situation, but I don't think he liked me standing up for myself and the poor aide that he was picking on.... ugh, makes me angry again just thinking about it!

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Specializes in med-surg/ tele.
What an idiot! He is even more foolish for turning his back to the patient. If he keeps up that up he is going to find out the hard way of why you never turn your back on a pysch patient.

I agree... Oh, and I forgot to add, the patient had a dripping colostomy bag, too (he was only in his 30-40's poor thing). But it did drip poop on the brand new $300 apiece "family chairs" admin just bought two weeks ago!:lol2:

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

One word. RUN. Idiots hire other idiots so they don't feel challenged.

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Just a big legal quagmire however you wish to read into this. IMHO , the Op has the high road here.

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Specializes in ER.

Admin types can't think without a computer in front of them.

Psych patients have potential, but for the most part they are looking for someone to help, like we all are. You can say "I'm so sorry you're feeling so bad, come with me and we'll find someone that can help." Escort him down to the ER, or to an empty room (and call EHS) if there's no ER. Give him a towel or Chux for his leaks if they can't be fixed immediately. Offer water, Kleenex and a sympathetic ear. Simple.

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Specializes in Peds Hem, Onc, Med/Surg.

...even someone who doesn't know about real psych patients has at least watched TV. Everyone knows that a person, ANY person really can hurt you and sometimes they don't need a weapon to do so.

For example... Chuck Norris. He can kill you will a look! :eek: :lol2:

No but seriously just because he doesn't have visible weapons doesn't mean he is safe. That administrator is going to have a huge scare one day and he will be sorry that he didn't listen to you. *nods*

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.
One word. RUN. Idiots hire other idiots so they don't feel challenged.

hysterical2.gif

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This happened last week at work... About 1500, I walk around the corner into the nurses' station and see all the nurses, the CNO and the asst. admin standing there. I asked what is going on and one of the nurses point to a man sitting in front of the station with a hospital gown and jeans on. She says that a few minutes earlier, he had walked up to the station and told the secretary that he was going to kill himself. He had walked out of the hospital across the street, came in the front doors (pass security:uhoh3:) and up to the third floor where we are. So she calls admin people and they were trying to figure out what to do. The CNO is on the phone with the house doc and the asst. admin is talking to the US with his back to the patient. I immediately went to the asst admin and asked him why this man isn't isolated away from us. He gets a "look" and asks me why. I tell him "Are you serious? This guy just walked in and said he's about to kill himself. He could very possibly have a weapon of some sort, he obviously has psych issues and this makes him a potential danger to us, our patients and visitors". He rolls his eyes and told me (very condescendingly) that the situation is under control, that I don't have anything to worry about. At that very moment, the house doc strolls off the elevator, sees the guy and says that the patient needed to be isolated before anything else was done. So he's taken to a vacant room and that's that. But before the asst admin gets on the elevator, he comes back up to the station and tells us all that we never had anything to worry about, blah blah blah. When he walked off, he made eye contact with me and gave me one of those "you stupid idiot looks" (which I returned):smokin:. I haven't seen this POS since it happened, but I have a feeling he has it in for me now. He's only been here about 6 months, he's kind of youngish and still seems kind of insecure in his roll. I'm not the type to look for trouble, but I speak up for myself and my co-workers when nobody else will. Any advice? Thanks, guys...

Stigma against mental illness alive and well in the nursing field. Having a psychiatric illness does not automatically make one a danger and having a mental heath issue does not mean you should be isolated form the population. I understand your concern about the unknown but the disdain you show here for mental health is what keeps people form seeking help - and why many kill themselves without seeking help. people are told go to a health professional - here a guy asks for help and he gets a visceral reaction from you about how dangerous he is and get him away from me and everybody else. I am glad other people on the unit were able to treat him like a human being.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych, Tele, ICU.

Was the suicidal man actually a patient at that facility?

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