charging pts with assault

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

I want to know what others psych nurse's views are in regards to charging patients who assault staff. Do you think that charging a patient who assaults you will achieve anything? What policies and procedures apply in regards to this where you work. I'd really like to know others opinions as where I work I get mixed messsages and assume it comes down to personal choice in charging the patient.

Have a look at the thread on "Should psych patients be held accountable" Cheers!

Hi,

In the UK managers in my experience try to put staff off from making complaints to the police about assaults or threats of violence on staff members. I once went out with a girl who worked in day care and was regularly threatened by an ex-patient. He would threaten to cut her face which she found very frightening. The managers did nothing so I called the police. They arrested him and said if it happened again they would charge him with something pretty serious. He never rang up again!

It doesn't matter what policies are available, it's the individual's choice.

Mike

I had a adolescent female with a conduct disorder, attack me while she was in rotation ( in full belt restraints) and almost strangled me. It took 6 staff to free me from her. She stood trial as an adult and because I am a liscensed healthcare professional, the charges were more severe, and she sat in jail for a year. I live in Iowa, USA

Good for you Newgirl...it's about time we stand up for ourselves.....l work ER and this is a problem here too....glad you are ok...LR

as a psych nurse for the past 7 years in an adult acute admission unit in Australia, I have witnessed many violent attacks on nurses. In australia the only physical restraints we can use is " man power". I would have absolutely NO hesitation in charging a patient whom was voluntary or knew exactly what they were doing and I would always encourage my co workers to do the same. We are entitled to work in a safe working environment free from violence. we do not get paid enough to be assualted. Also the way that i look at it is that if one of these people assualted a member of the public or the police, regardless of their illness they would be charged. Do not let anyone discourage you from filing charges...

thankyou all for your messages!

I work in VT and our administrators are very supportive in charging patients who physically assault our staff. Manypatients feel the have free license to any behavoirs when on a psych unit. This sets very firm limits.

One night a woman going into restraints bit a security officer helping in the restraint. An hour later the police delivered a summons to her on the unit while she was still in restraints. There is justice!

Specializes in Mental Health.

Hi buddy, just a question not related to thread. I am am nearly finished 2nd year at UNI doing Nursing, and thinking os going inot Mental health as I did a 4 week placement in this area and loved in.

Whats your opinion on going straight in as a newgrad or do you think its better to do my newgrad year in the general area Med/Surg.

I am studying in Australia, and live on the central coast.

regards Alby

as a psych nurse for the past 7 years in an adult acute admission unit in Australia, I have witnessed many violent attacks on nurses. In australia the only physical restraints we can use is " man power". I would have absolutely NO hesitation in charging a patient whom was voluntary or knew exactly what they were doing and I would always encourage my co workers to do the same. We are entitled to work in a safe working environment free from violence. we do not get paid enough to be assualted. Also the way that i look at it is that if one of these people assualted a member of the public or the police, regardless of their illness they would be charged. Do not let anyone discourage you from filing charges...
Specializes in Mental Health.

Hi buddy, just a question not related to thread. I am am nearly finished 2nd year at UNI doing Nursing, and thinking os going inot Mental health as I did a 4 week placement in this area and loved in.

Whats your opinion on going straight in as a newgrad or do you think its better to do my newgrad year in the general area Med/Surg.

I am studying in Australia, and live on the central coast.

regards Alby

as a psych nurse for the past 7 years in an adult acute admission unit in Australia, I have witnessed many violent attacks on nurses. In australia the only physical restraints we can use is " man power". I would have absolutely NO hesitation in charging a patient whom was voluntary or knew exactly what they were doing and I would always encourage my co workers to do the same. We are entitled to work in a safe working environment free from violence. we do not get paid enough to be assualted. Also the way that i look at it is that if one of these people assualted a member of the public or the police, regardless of their illness they would be charged. Do not let anyone discourage you from filing charges...

Hospital policies and procedures cannot supercede the law. You, as an individual have the right to press charges, no matter what your administration may say.

Hospital policies and procedures cannot supercede the law. You, as an individual have the right to press charges, no matter what your administration may say.

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