Aggressive family member

[Jerez]

So I was placing an IV in a pediatric pt about 6mo and she was of course not happy. She was crying and the mother was comforting her the best she could. As I was placing the IV though, the dad reached across the bed while I had the needle in the child's arm and literally pushed my hands away and told me to stop & get another nurse. I was shocked that someone would do that and was taken completely off guard. The wife had jumped when he did it too and almost intervened but stopped herself. Anyways, I became angry and flustered over the whole ordeal as the doctor had explained in great detail what to expect and gave them the option of PO fluids & meds vs IV. I pulled the needle out and wrapped the child's arm, apologized, and told them I would send in another RN. I spoke to my charge RN about the situation and decided to transfer the child's care to another RN because I felt very uncomfortable at this point. I couldn't help but ask myself over and over what I did to set this man off but at the same time don't think any pt or family member has a right to lay their hands on any staff especially during a procedure. A simple "stop" would have worked just as well. Also, I do understand the frustration of having a sick child that ends up going through painful procedures in order to help them get better so I know that plays a part. I guess I just need to suck it up as part of the job. I just wonder as nurses, should we expect to be abused, whether physically or verbally? Or should I have said something about the inappropriateness of what happened right then & there? I'm not sure what was the most professional thing to do but I did not want to escalate the situation any further but at the same time I wanted to let him know that touching me or any other staff member in an aggressive manner would not be allowed.

[cleback]

I'm really disheartened to read responses that suggest the nurse bears responsibility for his putting hands her. What we are socialized to accept...

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

While I completely agree that nurse shouldn't tolerate abuse, I'm having a hard time make the jump to calling this violence, assault, abuse, etc. 'Pushing a hand away' is certainly inappropriate but at the most is worthy of a reminder "I understand your concern but you're potentially causing your kid more pain by touching a hand holding a needle".

The man could have been arrested for putting his hands on the nurse. The threshold to call something an assault includes ANY unwanted physical contact. We should not be downplaying or accepting ANY act of aggression or violence against health care workers; regardless of the situation.

[MunoRN, RN]

The man could have been arrested for putting his hands on the nurse. The threshold to call something an assault includes ANY unwanted physical contact. We should not be downplaying or accepting ANY act of aggression or violence against health care workers; regardless of the situation.

Battery would require the intention of physical harm which clearly wasn't the intent or the result in this case, it's not the appropriate way to do it, but the intent was to decline the continuation of a procedure, which is an important parental right for the nurse to recognize, recognizing it as something it's not isn't helpful.

I completely agree that we shouldn't be downplaying acts of aggression or violence, but that's exactly what we're doing when we call things aggression or violence when they aren't.

[broughden]

Battery would require the intention of physical harm which clearly wasn't the intent or the result in this case, it's not the appropriate way to do it, but the intent was to decline the continuation of a procedure, which is an important parental right for the nurse to recognize, recognizing it as something it's not isn't helpful.

I completely agree that we shouldn't be downplaying acts of aggression or violence, but that's exactly what we're doing when we call things aggression or violence when they aren't.

Former cop here again.

The nature of what is physical assault depends on the state in which one resides.

1. Some states refer to it as assault and others battery. They then often refer to the other as the threat of physical violence.

Example Florida- Assault is a threat. Battery is physically touching; New York- is the exact opposite.

2. What constitutes assault/battery also varies from state to state. In Florida merely touching another person against their will is battery.

784.03 Battery-

(1)(a) The offense of battery occurs when a person:

1. Actually and intentionally touches or strikes another person against the will of the other

Additionally under Florida statute 784.07 if a person commits said battery on an employee or volunteer in a hospital working in the Emergency Room that simple misdemeanor battery is now upgraded to a full felony charge.

The term "emergency medical care provider" also includes physicians, employees, agents, or volunteers of hospitals as defined in chapter 395, who are employed, under contract, or otherwise authorized by a hospital to perform duties directly associated with the care and treatment rendered by the hospital's emergency department or the security thereof.

(b) In the case of battery, from a misdemeanor of the first degree to a felony of the third degree.

So if Im working in an ER and you lay a hand on me? There go your voting rights, your gun ownership rights, and most of your future employment options.

You keep your hands to yourself or I will wreck your life. Simple enough.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

[Jerez]

Thanks for your comment! I do feel very confident in my IV sticks even on pediatrics, however, it's a stressful situation for all involved and feel that the parents can play a larger role on how smoothly it goes or not too. Their cooperation is def key.

[Jerez]

The situation did not escalate any further after he had pushed my hands away. I felt that the environment that was created was too uncomfortable after that took place. I did not think to assess for any physical abuse :/ I did fill out an incident report though.

[Jerez]

Had you just inserted the needle when the dad stopped you or were you digging around for a little bit?

I had just inserted the needle & this was after I had finished doing a straight cath as well.

[Jerez]

To the OP, not sure how long ago this happened or if the patient is still in the unit; however, an incident report should had been filed to keep everyone on the loop for future incidents.

Thank you for your comment! The patient was d/c after IVF and yes an incident report was filed.

[Jerez]

I have been doing IVs for 14 years and can tell you that having a parent lay on the bed and hold the child during an IV attempt IN MOST cases not all is the best way.

Thank you for your comment! We always try to keep the parents and family involved in the child's care, especially comfort cares during any procedures such as this too. We really leave it up to them whether they want to stay or not & how involved they would like to be but I do believe too that the child benefits more if they have their family there for them as long as it does not interfere with the care they need.

[MunoRN, RN]

Former cop here again.

The nature of what is physical assault depends on the state in which one resides.

1. Some states refer to it as assault and others battery. They then often refer to the other as the threat of physical violence.

Example Florida- Assault is a threat. Battery is physically touching; New York- is the exact opposite.

2. What constitutes assault/battery also varies from state to state. In Florida merely touching another person against their will is battery.

784.03 Battery-

(1)(a) The offense of battery occurs when a person:

1. Actually and intentionally touches or strikes another person against the will of the other

Additionally under Florida statute 784.07 if a person commits said battery on an employee or volunteer in a hospital working in the Emergency Room that simple misdemeanor battery is now upgraded to a full felony charge.

So if Im working in an ER and you lay a hand on me? There go your voting rights, your gun ownership rights, and most of your future employment options.

You keep your hands to yourself or I will wreck your life. Simple enough.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

And you're always free to press charges for anything you like, just like you could press charges against the checker and the grocery store who gets your attention by tapping your shoulder to let you know another checkstand has opened. Although you still would need to get a judge to agree that this fits the intent of the law. The more pertinent question is whether or not it's reasonable to press felony charges against someone who touches your hand to get your attention, I would argue it's not.

[Jerez]

I do think however, that starting an IV for a child with ONLY parents in the room is a very bad idea.

Thank you for your comment! I should clarify that I would never stick a pediatric patient without a staff member to assist as was in this case. I don't know any staff member that does this in the ER as someone other than the parent should be stabilizing the child's arm. Both me and my colleague were surprised by this behavior as we were both focused on getting a job done, not watching for unexpected reactions from the family members but next time I will be more prepared for this for sure.

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

The areas where parents are hanging around all day,tired,upset,cranky can be dangerous.

You acted professionally but you should have notified security to have a little chat with him,and maybe figure out what else is going on before this father does it again or worse.

I never draw blood nor do IV's in front of a parent.I send them out and promise to get them as soon as it is done.I do not want to get hit on the head.