Inmates as Patients in Hospital

Interesting, I wonder when "ambulation is a necessary part of their health care" is not true????

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/05/opinion/05sun3.html

A report by Amnesty International U.S.A. finds that nearly half the state corrections departments — and the Federal Bureau of Prisons — have policies that expressly permit this practice. Prison officials justify the policy by saying that the women are a flight risk, even though many of them are nonviolent offenders who would present little risk, even if they were not doubled over with labor pains or strapped down on a delivery table.

It should not take a genius to see that chaining a woman's feet together or handcuffing her arm and leg to the side of a bed is not a smart thing to do during labor or childbirth. Yet doctors and nurses must sometimes fight with reluctant corrections officers if they want their pregnant patients unchained and effectively treated.

Reality sometimes is not what we want.....

I've taken care of prisoners on many occasions, as we too, have several prisons in the area. On one particular occasion, I had a patient that was handcuffed to the bed by his ankles and his wrists. The patient couldn't move, not only was this contra-indicated for the patients well being, I also could not properly assess my patient in this manner.

I said to the prisoner, "I'll treat you with respect, if you'll treat me with respect, do we have a deal?" The prisoner stated "yes". I asked the guards to take off his restraints, and explained the reasons - they were hesitant, but finally relented. I thanked them and continued to assess my patient which included getting him OOB and into a chair. The prisoner was cooperative and respectful. The guards wanted to handcuff him again, I said "look, you two are sitting by the only exit with big guns, is it really necessary to restrain him? They again saw things my way.

The prisoner and I got along great. He thanked me for my care and consideration. He remained cooperative and respectful throughout his stay, without problem.

I believe we have a responsibility to our patients, regardless of what they may or may not have done. It is irrelevant - and often non of our business.

I literally ran into this patient on the street while my children were with me about six months after I took care of him. He said "Yo! What's up?" I groaned inside. We chatted for a minute and he thanked me again saying I was the "best nurse he every had" - and the "he'll never forget me". Unsure if I was flattered or not, I thanked him and ushered my kids into our car. Never saw him again after that.

My motto is and always will be, "treat others as you would want to be treated".

Blessings

The officers broke the rules and put people at risk....

I personally think that every patient that is in jail or prison should be in restraints, the patient may seem sweet, but in a second they could snap and try to kill you. So I would feel much safer if the patient was in restraints.