Assaulted by patient... VENT

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Specializes in ER, ALF.

So last night it happened. I was assaulted by a patient. I went to our observation unit to help a nurse who has having trouble with this patient and it really just didn't go well. I went in there very calmly asked her what was wrong, tried to talk her down... you know the drill. Long story short I ended up getting punched in the face along my jaw several times, the back of my head several times, and got my left forearm clawed up pretty darn good! I let my attending know about it, cleaned out the wounds she left on my forearm, filed a police report, filed an occurrance report, and went to make sure it was documented through employee health as well. Mostly I'm just hoping my butt is covered completely in this because I just don't want to end up with my butt in a sling over this.

Thankfully now I'm on vacation for the next 12 days(WOOHOOO!!!!), but now I can't sleep.

Sorry it's short and vague, but thanks for letting me vent!!!

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terrible, i cant believe she got so many hits off of you ..WOW

I hope youre ok, and dont let it get the best of yoU!

Just yesterday they brought a psych patient in because he had to be tasered from his nursing home (er something to that effect)

People these days geeeeeeez louise

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If you filed a police report does that mean charges are being pressed?

I hope so. That's ridiculous, that nurses get assaulted like that.

I would press charges to the max.

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Specializes in ER, ALF.

Natingale- I'm doing alright... getting a check up with the dentist tomorrow just to make sure the jaw is ok. It sure is popping alot more than normal. They tased somebody at the nursing home? Yeesh!!! I agree! What is wrong people these days!!!

Catlyn- I'm hoping something goes through. The officer on the case will *hopefully* call me back when he comes on shift this afternoon. If not I'll go down to the station myself. This little drunken girl is NOT going to skate off with this one! It enrages me when I hear about this happening to fellow nurses, so I'll be darned if I'm gonna just let things go by the wayside!!

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Specializes in None.

Wow, so we are not allowed to fight back. For me that would be VERY hard, near impossible LOL

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Specializes in ICU.

Yeah... I'd like to know.. ARE we allowed to fight back?

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

Sorry this happened to you. Hope you are OK

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.
Yeah... I'd like to know.. ARE we allowed to fight back?

In the ER where I used to work they had us take a workplace violence course (8 hours) where we were taught to use "alternative techniques" to deal with violent patients. Most of it was garbage (tapping the upper lip of a patient who is biting you...huh?) The underlying implication was that under no circumstances were we to use any form of physical violence to protect ourselves since we had these nifty new skills. Me, in my usual shy quiet way, asked for clarification if we would get in trouble for kicking the 225 drunk guy in the family jewels if they were beating the crap out of us and our special training wasn't working. Yeah, I got called into the principal's office for that one. So I talked to risk management and they told me that from a legal standpoint (although not hospital policy) you can use an EQUAL amount of force to protect yourself. So if that drunk is biting you yes you can kick him where it counts but you can't hit him over the head with the mayo stand no matter how badly you want to.

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I hope she gets in trouble for assaulting you.

It would of been hard not to take a shot at defending myself. I have been hit, kicked , spit on and had icky things thrown at me, but that was by the demented elderly. Sometimes hurt but wouldn't hit back cause they can't help it.

Someone who has given up control over their mental status to drugs or alcohol might not be as deserving of my don't defend yourself policy.

You are a good person. Sorry you were abused.

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Specializes in ICU.
tapping the upper lip of a patient who is biting you...

A patient tried to bite me this week but couldn't because he had a CPAP hood on :D

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In the ER where I used to work they had us take a workplace violence course (8 hours) where we were taught to use "alternative techniques" to deal with violent patients. Most of it was garbage (tapping the upper lip of a patient who is biting you...huh?)

Don't tap the upper lip....press firmly towards the head and up towards the eyeball with your finger lengthways. Go ahead and do it to yourself......hurts don't it..... I learned this as part of police training for the USAF. And also if you are being bitten to not try to pull away....move in closer and closer until they release using the above nose technique.

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OP....thank you for following through with the police. Nurses like you make it clear to our employers that we will not tolerate this level of risk and security breaches quietly.

I want to encourage you to ask for an additional vacation day though. If you are seeing your dentist, on your vacation, because of this incident, than that is not fair.

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