Can you refuse a pt due to unsafe conditons?

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I just recently ran into a situation with my hospice. We have two new pts in a very bad neighborhood and I recently found out that these pts would be mine.

One pt lives in a house and it is a good family. I have no problems seeing this pt. The other pt lives in an apartment complex infested with crack-heads.

There are frequent shootings as well as every other crime you can imagine. Also, this pt has an abusive husband and has many "stray" people (dope users) staying in the apartment. I have also heard that there is a hit on the husband due lack of payment for drugs (I don't know if this is true). I do not feel comfortable (nor do any of our other nurses or health aides) going into this home. Even though security was offered for the visit, I still feel it is unsafe and wish to refuse to see this pt.

I have told the manager about my concerns in going to this apartment. Although the manager states that he would never force me to do anything I was not comfortable with, he still has me listed as the primary nurse. No other nurse will take this assignment. I feel pressured to see this pt. I am truly concerned for my saftey.

Have any of you encountered this situation before? Any suggestions would be helpful.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I did home care as an LPN while I was in RN school in Indianapolis in the 90's. One person was a quad in a gang-infested neighborhood (he had been the victim of gang retaliation). I went there one morning to do his am care and his brother was playing with a gun on the couch. I excused myself with the need for equipment left in my car and never looked back. In 1997 an RN was killed in that same neighbordhood doing home care. Please realize your safety is the most important thing - don't compromise. This patient needs inpatient hospice care if death is imminent.

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Thank you for your reply. I agree that my safety comes first. Even if a security guard escorted me, he can't protect me from a bullet. I am going to refuse this pt. My manager can fire me if he wishes...I don't care. If I don't look out for myself, no one else will. Thanks again for your reply.

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

Your safety is paramount.

renerian

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Originally posted by FrankieJane

Thank you for your reply. I agree that my safety comes first. Even if a security guard escorted me, he can't protect me from a bullet. I am going to refuse this pt. My manager can fire me if he wishes...I don't care. If I don't look out for myself, no one else will. Thanks again for your reply.

Thank you for your good sense. :kiss

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