Assaulted by patient... VENT

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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!!!

Specializes in med surg home care PEDS.

I am a student nurse who works in home care as a aide, anywho, I recieved an offer for what I thought was a dream job, 2 overnites a week caring for an elderly woman in her home on the upper east side in Manhattan, she was a sundowner, one night about 2 weeks into the job, I was laying on a cot right outside her door when she opens the door with a knife in her hand, don't ask me where she got it. I stayed the night after getting her back to bed but quit the next day, she scared the crap out of me.

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

I only pressed charges once and that was a drunk visitor. Dementia behavior patients seem to calm quickly when held tightly, either a hug or calmly held against a wall. Talk softly and continually to them while holding tightly, you will feel when they relax, give them a few moments and allow them to proceed on.

Drunks, crack heads and DT ers dont reason with at all, drugs and restraints is the only thing they respond to.

Head injuries are a different story as you need to have them unsedated to know if they are getting better or worsening. Thankfully they never remember their stint as a problem patient.

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thank you for pressing charges and not tolerating this kind've crap from patients.

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

You bet your bottom dollar I would fight back. It'll be a cold day in hell before I ever let a patient purposely hit me, attempt to hit me, or threaten to hit me. If I get a patient who I even suspect is gonna be a problem. I back away from the bed, educate them on my rights as a health care worker, and tell them they will be charged with assault, as the law indicates. I have called the police before, as our security was getting their butt kicked by a wacko and felt they needed more help. Sometimes though, there has been a time or two, 3, 4 and so on where the EMD will just knocks m out and intubates them for their own safety....

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.
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.

Oh, I agree the tapping the lip thing was a total waste of time. Thing is I wouldn't be able to use your method as we were specifically told we were not allowed to do anything that inflicts pain on the attacker regardless of how much pain they were inflicting on you. That might result in a low Press Gainey score:banghead:

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Specializes in Management, ER, psych.

That is awful that u were assaulted!! It makes caring for intoxicated clients a personal risk, esp. when they start to escalate. While working in psych, I had a young girl attack me without cause. I do not to this day remember how my thumb got in her mouth, but she was about to make a snack out of it. I remembered a crisis prevention class that demonstrated what to do if u were bitten. Make a nuckle and press HARD into that little groove just above the upper lip. I did, and she definitely let go, not attempting to bite me again.:cry::sniff::devil:

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Specializes in ER, ALF.

Thanks for all the replies guys!! I really appreciate all the support! I have been such a total lurker on this website, but had to get some opinions on this. I couldn't even get to sleep until 1400 in the afternoon because, eventhough I felt calmed down, I was apparently still quite amped about the whole situation.

As far as asking for an extra day of vacation due to having to see my sdentist, I'm ok with using the day. I currently work on a weekends-only program that my hospital uses, so today is mostly just like any other day off I would have during the week. I'm almost considering cancelling it as my jaw has stopped popping and hurting... but it never hurts to get it all checked out anyway, right?

I just woke up so I haven't really looked in the mirror for any bruising. I hope any of it along my jaw won't be too bad. My cousin is getting married on saturday, so I'm hoping any of the bruising will be gone by then... really not looking forward to showing up to a big family function looking like I got my butt kicked!

Still haven't heard from the two officers who took the call, which is frustrating. One of the guys is in training... new guys! The other I have seen quite a bit in the ER. I have a good friend who is an officer that I will ask later tonight what I need to do. I'm really not a big fan of the "hurry up and wait" game. Especially in this situation.

Hope everybody is having a great night, and again, thanks for all your support!!!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

In IL, its a felony to assault any healthcare worker. Assaults are and should be prosecuted. I had a guy spit on me and hit me in the face and he went to jail for 6 months!

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One of the NICEST CA (male) ever was assaulted, so after the lady punches him he goes "ma'am i will pray for you"

I thought that was probably as hard hitting as retaliating physically. Everyday he does something wonderful, that was just one of them.

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Specializes in ED-CEN/PACU/Flight.

You bet your bupkiss I will defend my right to defend myself. Just because I became a nurse does not mean I gave up my civil rights. As far as the facilities that say not to inflict pain - I can agree to a point; use just enough force to get away. And if it comes down to it - I'm the one that will be going home that night.

If the bleeding hearts and facilities tell you how awful you are for defending yourself, let them get abused in your place, and we'll see how quick that whiny little tune changes.

If the facility still was insistent that you let yourself get abused and/or killed, tell them you require that policy in writing for your attorney to review, because they are not providing a safe workplace - they are guaranteeing a hostile work environment.

Now, all that being said - if it's a head injury, or little demented old person - I'm gentle as I can be for as long as I can be, but if force is required to get away, so be it. The hospital won't provide for my 3 children if I don't work...

As for the people that make the choice to be an ass - then it's on. I don't provoke it by any meas, but they will have a fight on their hands, as I REFUSE to let myself be intimidated.

Good luck to you - hope all is healing well, and WAY TO GO for defending yourself!

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You bet your bupkiss I will defend my right to defend myself. Just because I became a nurse does not mean I gave up my civil rights. As far as the facilities that say not to inflict pain - I can agree to a point; use just enough force to get away. And if it comes down to it - I'm the one that will be going home that night.

If the bleeding hearts and facilities tell you how awful you are for defending yourself, let them get abused in your place, and we'll see how quick that whiny little tune changes.

If the facility still was insistent that you let yourself get abused and/or killed, tell them you require that policy in writing for your attorney to review, because they are not providing a safe workplace - they are guaranteeing a hostile work environment.

Now, all that being said - if it's a head injury, or little demented old person - I'm gentle as I can be for as long as I can be, but if force is required to get away, so be it. The hospital won't provide for my 3 children if I don't work...

As for the people that make the choice to be an ass - then it's on. I don't provoke it by any meas, but they will have a fight on their hands, as I REFUSE to let myself be intimidated.

Good luck to you - hope all is healing well, and WAY TO GO for defending yourself!

Well said!!!!!!!!!

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I hope you are feeling better. Just curious how things went with the police. I hope charges were pressed and the case will proceed. It should.

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