Beat up by a resident, what to do??

barefootlady · Aug 04, 2004, 08:19 PM

Responsible for a injury to a visitor when no staff is present? How could that be?
Agree with other posters, call the police and press charges. But go to ER first, file a I & A report and keep your copy. See your personal physician and do not return to work until all pain is gone. How could you work with an arm in a sling?

Contact all proper state officials and file a report. Keep your papers in a locked box that only you have access to so HIPPA will not be violated. You can keep this box in the trunk of your car .

Document every incident, those with his family as well. Document family telling you and other staff that he has "bad temper", does not follow instructions, and etc.

LOOK FOR ANOTHER JOB!

Rapheal · Aug 04, 2004, 09:30 PM

Sorry this happened to you. I would be livid if it happened to me and I got no support from my employer. Maybe time to find an employer who cares about your safety.

KacyLynnRN · Aug 04, 2004, 09:45 PM

Yes I agree something more does need to be done to protect staff in LTC facilities. When I was a CNA, I worked in a nursing home and once got kicked very hard in the stomach by a violent alzhemiers patient. THANK GOD I wasn't pregnant at the time!! He remained there, and really nothing was done about it. I ended up leaving. I understand that we have to take care of everyone no matter what, and not judge but it is hard to go back to work and work with a patient you are terrified of. It shouldn't be happening. I would definitely keep records of EVERYTHING concerning this incident...what happened, medical bills and records, anything...because who knows how long your arm may be injured?? Also I would call your BON and find out what your rights are. The residents have rights, shouldn't nurses???

CapeCodMermaid · Aug 05, 2004, 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by michelle126

Wow! Im not sure what the right answer is to this one. HIPAA probably prohibits the nurses from sharing his complete med hx with you. This man is definatly a threat to others. We have had a few residents like this.. they are 90lbs wet, but as strong and dangerous as an ox. Only after beating up a few nurses and CNAs and eventually a social worker was he 302'd. Yes these people have dementia and for the most part don't know what they are doing, but hurting you and the other CNA like that is no excuse. Our CNAs aren't really aloud to refuse to care for residents, but in cases like this...it is definatly acceptable! Call the state or even aske the police.....Look at his care plan...(I know you probably don't have access to it) and see what is care planned for aggressive behavior. (The inspectors are very intersted in care plans). Does your facility have a behavior management program? They should. Drugs probably aren't the answer for this man!
BTW...why not get a lamp for the other man..might help?

HIPAA wouldn't prevent the nurses from sharing info with the CNA's...they are certainly in the NEED TO KNOW category. HIPAA doesn't mean you can't tell people who are involved in someone's care what they need to know.

Jailhouse RN · Aug 05, 2004, 06:24 AM

You have thright to defend yourself. If that means hitting the pt. so be it. I have had to use physical force to actually help a couple of inmates. No patient or inmate has the right to touch any staff person. Time to get skip training which is suppoesedly a non-violent way of taking down violent patients. This is and was taught in all of the NYS psychiatric institutions. How ever you must realize that there may again come a time when you just might have to take an offensive action which means use physical force to actually help your patient to not hurt you or others. Remember, you have rights also.

CapeCodMermaid · Aug 05, 2004, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Jailhouse RN

You have thright to defend yourself. If that means hitting the pt. so be it. I have had to use physical force to actually help a couple of inmates. No patient or inmate has the right to touch any staff person. Time to get skip training which is suppoesedly a non-violent way of taking down violent patients. This is and was taught in all of the NYS psychiatric institutions. How ever you must realize that there may again come a time when you just might have to take an offensive action which means use physical force to actually help your patient to not hurt you or others. Remember, you have rights also.

You might be able to hit back in a jail, but if you do that in LTC, YOU"LL be the one arrested and probably lose your license.

MichaelSSSS · Aug 05, 2004, 04:54 PM

I’m just curious – I’m a male nursing student 6ft and quite muscular – if someone comes at me like that do I have the option of beating the *hit out of him? A patient probably won’t come after me for fear of getting the *hit beat out of him, but to what extent can a nurse defend themself?

I have no patience for people who abuse others – especially a nurse. :angryfire

CapeCodMermaid · Aug 05, 2004, 06:01 PM

Just because you're tall doesn't make you safe. If a resident is going to hit you. he or she might think you are someone or something else. You are not allowed to hit back.

nurse555 · Aug 05, 2004, 08:06 PM

Some of our more harmless looking residents are real sweet and then they're beating the crap out of you so it really doesn't matter what your physical size is.