Abuse of Nurses

Published

Specializes in Emergency Dept.

So we have recently had a patient on our unit (tele unit) that has threatened to kill staff members, called them numerous obscenities and physically assaulted at least two nurses. This is an alert and oriented patient who know exactly what she is doing. We had a meeting today and discussed what the appropriate action would be (the nurses were discussing pressing assault charges). We were told that if the patient continued to assault staff they would be given the option to sign out AMA or restraints would be applied. They are basically giving this patient free reign to slug one of us each time she gets admitted (which is frequently) before restraints are discussed. We were told we can NOT press charges and everything would have to go through the hospitals attorney if we insisted on pursuing something. This seems absolutely ludicrous to me. If an A&Ox3 pt is repeatedly assaulting staff - we can't press charges, but you know, if we try to get them to do anything they don't want, it is assault charges against us. Does anyone know if this is the norm, or what would you do it a pt hit you? (Again, this is a&ox3, not a demented little person who doesn't know what they are doing)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I'm going to be very blunt -- what your hospital is telling you is that they don't give a crap about the safety of staff -- it apparently interferes with their vision of some customer service utopia. Do not expect this to change.

What they're telling you is also false. If events have occurred as you describe, criminal assault/battery has taken place and it is likely prosecutable. Criminal charges are filed by law enforcement - no involvement of hospital attorneys is required. Assault of a health care worker is a felony in many states.

You & your coworkers will need to decide individually and collectively how to proceed. You can probably expect disciplinary action from your employer if you pursue this. Bottom line: each of you will need to consider which is ultimately more important to you, your job or your safety. I know which I would pick.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.
So we have recently had a patient on our unit (tele unit) that has threatened to kill staff members, called them numerous obscenities and physically assaulted at least two nurses. This is an alert and oriented patient who know exactly what she is doing. We had a meeting today and discussed what the appropriate action would be (the nurses were discussing pressing assault charges). We were told that if the patient continued to assault staff they would be given the option to sign out AMA or restraints would be applied. They are basically giving this patient free reign to slug one of us each time she gets admitted (which is frequently) before restraints are discussed. We were told we can NOT press charges and everything would have to go through the hospitals attorney if we insisted on pursuing something. This seems absolutely ludicrous to me. If an A&Ox3 pt is repeatedly assaulting staff - we can't press charges, but you know, if we try to get them to do anything they don't want, it is assault charges against us. Does anyone know if this is the norm, or what would you do it a pt hit you? (Again, this is a&ox3, not a demented little person who doesn't know what they are doing)

Nothing has to go through the hospital's lawyer to press charges. If a patient punches me and she is a/o then I am calling the police and pressing charges. Last year, there was a patient that assaulted a nurse then the nurse tech who came to her aide, that patient was arrested and removed from the hospital. I know the nurse is suing the hospital because they are asking her to drop the charges or because no one helped her when she was being attacked..I refuse to take the patient, hospitals can refuse the patient if they wanted to. What does she come in for anyhow?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.
So we have recently had a patient on our unit (tele unit) that has threatened to kill staff members, called them numerous obscenities and physically assaulted at least two nurses. This is an alert and oriented patient who know exactly what she is doing. We had a meeting today and discussed what the appropriate action would be (the nurses were discussing pressing assault charges). We were told that if the patient continued to assault staff they would be given the option to sign out AMA or restraints would be applied. They are basically giving this patient free reign to slug one of us each time she gets admitted (which is frequently) before restraints are discussed. We were told we can NOT press charges and everything would have to go through the hospitals attorney if we insisted on pursuing something. This seems absolutely ludicrous to me. If an A&Ox3 pt is repeatedly assaulting staff - we can't press charges, but you know, if we try to get them to do anything they don't want, it is assault charges against us. Does anyone know if this is the norm, or what would you do it a pt hit you? (Again, this is a&ox3, not a demented little person who doesn't know what they are doing)

A place I worked for previously, I think in AZ, it was a felony to assault healthcare workers and we could call police. Exactly what is the hospital going to do if she decides to assault a staff member in the parking lot, or across the street off hospital property? Tell that staff member they can't press charges? I don't know who you you can ask outside the hospital, but they can't keep you from pressing personal charges IMO. I wonder what the hospital will do if enough staff refuse to care for this particular patient?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know how they can possibly take away your right to press charges. I'd talk to a lawyer for clarification..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

And if they pull that "well, this is private property.." Thats crap because my home is private property and I'd call the police there if I was assaulted. Pressing criminal charges can be done no matter where the assault took place.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

The reason they probably want hospital attorneys involved is in case the hospital gets sued by either the nurse or by the person having charges pressed against them because the charges didn't stick..

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Remind your facility about the latest Sentinel Event Alert regarding bullying behaviors. Although the newest regs are aimed at facilities controlling these behaviors perpetrated by employees and docs, it would take very little to get these regs moved on over to include patients/visitors to the facility. The regs specifically insist on zero tolerance of physical abuse and criminal acts. Nothing like a little leverage with the Joint Commission and/or a journalist in your area to get your facility on the right track.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Your facility is crazy! Before switching to nursing, I worked as a cop for a long time and I have arrested numerous people right out of a hospital bed. All I needed was a sworn statement from the victims (i.e. ER staff) stating they wished to press charges. After being booked, if they still needed hospitalization, they would be transferred to a different hospital. Worked like a charm!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.

the hospital doesn't own you. you most certainly can press charges and you should. you can also refuse to take care of her.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/EHR Trainer.

Missouri has a statue that makes abusing a healthcare worker a class d felony. Just google it!

Educate your hospital. Release their stance to the media. Call you union rep if you have one. Stick together and say NO!

No one can abuse you without your permission! DON'T ALLOW IT!

Maisy:wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
So we have recently had a patient on our unit (tele unit) that has threatened to kill staff members, called them numerous obscenities and physically assaulted at least two nurses. This is an alert and oriented patient who know exactly what she is doing. We had a meeting today and discussed what the appropriate action would be (the nurses were discussing pressing assault charges). We were told that if the patient continued to assault staff they would be given the option to sign out AMA or restraints would be applied. They are basically giving this patient free reign to slug one of us each time she gets admitted (which is frequently) before restraints are discussed. We were told we can NOT press charges and everything would have to go through the hospitals attorney if we insisted on pursuing something. This seems absolutely ludicrous to me. If an A&Ox3 pt is repeatedly assaulting staff - we can't press charges, but you know, if we try to get them to do anything they don't want, it is assault charges against us. Does anyone know if this is the norm, or what would you do it a pt hit you? (Again, this is a&ox3, not a demented little person who doesn't know what they are doing)

Who said that you can't press assault charges? It is you LEGAL RIGHT TO PRESS CHARGES AGAINST THIS PERSON. The hospital is trying to maintain its misplaced "customer service" attitude before your safety. To heck with them!

Call the police and don't think a second thought about it.

This is assault and battery. I would pick up the phone and call the police, press charges, and if the hospital complains, call the local paper and tell them that what is going on. Get a lawyer and file charges agaist the hospital. Nurses don"t use the legal system to their advantage, and public opinion as well.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion