physician abuse in PACU

Specialties PACU

Published

This is my first post, I came across your site while searching the net for inspiration. I feel somewhat better just reading the archives, But i could use some ideas on how to handle this situation.

I have been a nurse for 25 years the last 4 in PACU, I have endured verbal abuse through the years, most of which I ignore occasionally firing back if they push me far enough. Yesterday was the final straw, we have a very verbally abusive(some say crazy ortho guy) Most of the time if you ignore him he will go away, yesterday he crossed the line and slapped me on the shoulder, in anger, and then screamed at me for 10 min because a family had gone out to smoke and he wanted to talk to them.

Here's my "mistake", I reported him to my supervisor and the legal dept. Unfortunately I do not have a witness to the slap, but when he started screaming 2 other nurses did walk to the station and heard everything.

First he outright denied it, now he's saying he may have bumped me in passing(like I don't know the difference). Of course administration is leaning toward his version, he brings in big bucks for the hosp. Now I'm being hung out to dry and he's threating me with a slander suit that I certainly can't afford. He has been physically abusive to other nurses but most are too afraid of losing their jobs to say anything.

Do I quit and walk away or try to fight (he has a team of laywers he's been in trouble so often) when I know I can't win. The one thing I do refuse to do is withdraw the complaint I can find a new job, but I won't compromise my reputation I've earned over these long years.

Thanks for listening, I feel better getting it off my chest, But I have been a wreck since it happened.HELP

By the way, thanks for the welcome, I so glad I found this site, My non-nursing friends and family can not relate to my experiences, I'm enjoying alot of the old threads, you all are awesome:)

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OMG!!!

Unfortunately, many of us who have worked in peri-op for a long time can relate. The hospital is way behind the times in it's policy. We had a situation a few years ago with a surgeon who had a reputation that preceded him. He went to 3 area hospitals. The nurses at one place had finally had enough of the nonsense and called the state Board of Medical Examiners. They got his attention better than anything the hospital could have done. When faced with suspension of his license, he shaped up. It also gave the rest of us a little boost. It was great for morale.

This is one of the reasons I am a great proponent of maintaining your own . I was also once threatened with a slander suit by a terrible surgeon that I reported to mgmt. Since it was a work related event, my malpractice company would have represented me. I doubt the coverage provided by the hospital would have done the same.

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Hello collegues! An article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch about workplace violence spurred me to write back to the columnist. I also wrote 20/20. We need to get this problem out in the open ASAP. All of your comments ring true to my experiences as an OR nurse. I am not surprised at all. Interesting that the orthopods are the worst in the bunch, isn't it? In my job interview, I was asked if I could tolerate "yelling" since the surgeons are under such pressure. I reported a doc to administration and the only reason they listened was because P.T. was involved. That got the surgeon disciplined and guess what? He and his group left our small rural hospital, putting it in danger of bankrupcy. I'm retired now and ready to stir it up publicly! This has to stop!

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I didn't realize that nurses had to put up with such abuse by surgeons. Heck, years ago when I was desperate for work I wouldn't work in a bar where management wouldn't support their waitresses!!! My admiration for your profession has risen even higher reading this thread.

There is something about the "orthopedic personality" that has always raised the hackles on my neck. My husband has been the patient. Even when we finally went to Mayo Clinic in MN for his back where we've met the most wonderful doctors thru some 50 years of family visits to Mayo I found the orthopod to be an egoistic, pompous jerk, despite his surgical skills.

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Hello collegues! An article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch about workplace violence spurred me to write back to the columnist. I also wrote 20/20. We need to get this problem out in the open ASAP. All of your comments ring true to my experiences as an OR nurse. I am not surprised at all. Interesting that the orthopods are the worst in the bunch, isn't it? In my job interview, I was asked if I could tolerate "yelling" since the surgeons are under such pressure. I reported a doc to administration and the only reason they listened was because P.T. was involved. That got the surgeon disciplined and guess what? He and his group left our small rural hospital, putting it in danger of bankrupcy. I'm retired now and ready to stir it up publicly! This has to stop!

Jane, I've been in the OR for almost 3 yrs and I'm getting tired of stories about physician abuse in this profession. How sad that it took the involvement of a non-nursing discipline for hosp admin to pay attention. It says something of how nurses are viewed and treated by management, even in 2005.

I couldn't believe they'd ask if you could tolerate 'yelling'...nobody should tolerate yelling by MDs in the workplace. I had a job interview last month and the director made it a point to tell me that the docs at my new workplace are nice for the most part. The docs that are 'boogers' as she put it, left when the surgery center across the street popped up.

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I am so sorry that this has happened to you. I can certainly understand why your upset. I would definitely stand my ground. I would hate to see this maniac get away with this behavior. I realize this is easy for me to say since I'm not in the situation, however, it sounds like the behavior will not stop unless administration stops it! Good luck and just know that ALL your fellow nurses are behind you... I hope that helps a little bit... :)

This is my first post, I came across your site while searching the net for inspiration. I feel somewhat better just reading the archives, But i could use some ideas on how to handle this situation.

I have been a nurse for 25 years the last 4 in PACU, I have endured verbal abuse through the years, most of which I ignore occasionally firing back if they push me far enough. Yesterday was the final straw, we have a very verbally abusive(some say crazy ortho guy) Most of the time if you ignore him he will go away, yesterday he crossed the line and slapped me on the shoulder, in anger, and then screamed at me for 10 min because a family had gone out to smoke and he wanted to talk to them.

Here's my "mistake", I reported him to my supervisor and the legal dept. Unfortunately I do not have a witness to the slap, but when he started screaming 2 other nurses did walk to the station and heard everything.

First he outright denied it, now he's saying he may have bumped me in passing(like I don't know the difference). Of course administration is leaning toward his version, he brings in big bucks for the hosp. Now I'm being hung out to dry and he's threating me with a slander suit that I certainly can't afford. He has been physically abusive to other nurses but most are too afraid of losing their jobs to say anything.

Do I quit and walk away or try to fight (he has a team of laywers he's been in trouble so often) when I know I can't win. The one thing I do refuse to do is withdraw the complaint I can find a new job, but I won't compromise my reputation I've earned over these long years.

Thanks for listening, I feel better getting it off my chest, But I have been a wreck since it happened.HELP

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A quick update about the dr who slapped me. This week he verbally abused and threatened a female administrator in our hospital. It looks like he will be told to leave and practice elsewhere. Lucky for her she had 3 witnesses and it doesn't hurt that she's in administration. It makes me kind of mad that nothing is done until a non-nursing person is involved, but I'm just happy to not have to deal with him anymore. Plus I really found out who my friends are!

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Specializes in ICUs, Tele, etc..

Administration owes you a personal apology, better yet in writing. A writing you can post in the break room so it doesn't happen again.

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A quick update about the dr who slapped me. This week he verbally abused and threatened a female administrator in our hospital. It looks like he will be told to leave and practice elsewhere. Lucky for her she had 3 witnesses and it doesn't hurt that she's in administration. It makes me kind of mad that nothing is done until a non-nursing person is involved, but I'm just happy to not have to deal with him anymore. Plus I really found out who my friends are!

I can't help but feel disgusted,surprised and relieved at the same time. Disgusted because it took involvement with a 'higher-up' for consequences. And, what does that say about how nurses are viewed and valued? It's okay to behave badly to nurses but not with non-nurses!? I'm surprised that this MD was actually brazen and bold enough to act this way. Some docs have the 'Jekyll and Hyde' behavior..proper and congenial with patients and Admin, then all mean and nasty to staff. But it sounds like this guy was Mr Hyde to all the way around.

I'm relieved for you and your co-workers that he will finally be put in his place, albeit a little too long in the making.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Just posted today in activism forum:

Doctors' Disruptive Behavior Disturbs Physician Leaders

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