ER violence

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hi

I'm interested in knowing what types of violent situations you may have been exposed to in the ER. Does a lot of it come from drunks?

Thanks

Matt

Specializes in LTC.

Okay here's my question: Why can't they just put up metal detectors in the hospital entryways? Might be a little costly at first, but it would save you guys from a lot of preventable problems.

I know it wont stop the physically violent from lashing out, but it would save hospital staff from dealing with having knives and guns being pulled on them.

I have to take a moment to thank all the ER staff and all the stuff they put up with!

casi

Hi

I'm interested in knowing what types of violent situations you may have been exposed to in the ER. Does a lot of it come from drunks?

Thanks

Matt

I would like to respond from the other side, when a patient feels threatened by a nurse. I am a very hard stick, for drawing blood and starting IVs. I warn the nursing staff of this and request someone who is known for successfully starting on hard sticks. Generally, my request is met in a positive manner. However, I had the experience of having a nurse refuse to stop sticking me, after I had requested she stop twice. The third time, in a very loud voice, I threatened to hit her, if she didn't stop immediately. Needless to say, she stopped and it bought a doctor and two other nurses to my room. This nurse was committing assualt and battery on me. However, I have been criticized, by my peers, for threating to strike this nurse. Criticism I feel is totally unwarrented. Yes, they are patients who can and do assault staff, as do their family members. On the other hard, there are staff who assault their patients by threating their well-being and their physical well being, in the guise of 'helping'. There are two sides to every picture.

Grannynurse :balloons:

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
Okay here's my question: Why can't they just put up metal detectors in the hospital entryways? Might be a little costly at first, but it would save you guys from a lot of preventable problems.

I know it wont stop the physically violent from lashing out, but it would save hospital staff from dealing with having knives and guns being pulled on them.

I have to take a moment to thank all the ER staff and all the stuff they put up with!

casi

Metal detectors sometimes work and are usuaully accepted in inner city Hospitals. But out here in Suburbia, it will never be accepted. The community doesnt like to see that the potential for violence is possible even in their sheltered little world. They just dont want to acknowledge it. This comes from a nurse who has worked 20 yrs in the middle of right wing moral majority suburbia of Plano Texas. The epitome of Suburbia.

Ive also had 3 teeth knocked out work

a couple of episodes of cracked ribs

I silver dollar sized chunk of flesh bitten out of my forearm and then swallowed by the patient.

Numerous bruises, and scrapes.

all from intoxicated or whacked out pts and their families.

Ive had knives pulled on me, fortunately they missed

But I wouldnt trade ER for nothing

But then I also like Sky Diving, maybe its a character flaw on my part

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.
Hi, JBudd. Do you mean haldol and ativan? I'm still a student.

How badly were you hurt when she punched you like that? I hope you don't have any long term damage!

Just bruised in the face a bit, but not discolored. Glasses got all twisted up though. Thanks for the concern. :p

In my experience, drunks aren't usually too bad. Irate family members are usually more likely to create a problem, or patients who didn't get what they wanted. Family members pitching tantrums are the worst; they'll shout, swear and threaten violence.

I've worked in ER for four years, and in that time I've seen my coworkers threatened with knives and guns, I've been bitten, and I've known of a physician who was slapped in the face by a patient (she slapped him back, and more power to her!). ER is just like every other arean of nursing; there's always the possibility that trouble will break loose, and you just try to either defuse the situation or get the heck out of the way.

i agree. drunks are a pain but usually no problem, especially after they go to sleep. The family however can often get very hostile. I'm 25 years old and have become kind of bitter and jaded in the 5 years in the ER. Bring it.

i agree. drunks are a pain but usually no problem, especially after they go to sleep. The family however can often get very hostile. I'm 25 years old and have become kind of bitter and jaded in the 5 years in the ER. Bring it.

I think it is time for a change, for you. And for your patients. You are setting yourselfup for burnout.

Grannynurse :balloons:

i'm only kidding granny. but really these people are getting out of hand.

i'm only kidding granny. but really these people are getting out of hand.

Are you? Or are you kidding yourself? I changed position, in my career, every two to three years. It helped me avoid burnout, exposed me to new experiences, allowed me to use my skills and knowledge.

Grannynurse :balloons:

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

i have had close calls before concerning guns, rather not go into detail. scared me to death, but, i still did not quit. not sure if you call that guts or stupidity.

fractured jaw by an alocholic. that took months of healing for me. that was the last straw, however. i lost my nerve and have not taken er call since. btw, i was the er provider on call and probably in the wrong place at the wrong time when he fx my jaw. i was trying to listen breath sounds and he gave me a left cross. he died just after.

siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc

Are you? Or are you kidding yourself? I changed position, in my career, every two to three years. It helped me avoid burnout, exposed me to new experiences, allowed me to use my skills and knowledge.

Grannynurse :balloons:

nah...i'm actually not kidding. Family/patients don't have have the right to threaten me. Not to sound like a hardass but if push comes to shove, i'm gonna shove. These people have to understand they can't cuss out and hit nurses in the ER whenever they want. I got into this profession to help people, not to get beat up or be verbally abused by people.

i have had close calls before concerning guns, rather not go into detail. scared me to death, but, i still did not quit. not sure if you call that guts or stupidity.

fractured jaw by an alocholic. that took months of healing for me. that was the last straw, however. i lost my nerve and have not taken er call since. btw, i was the er provider on call and probably in the wrong place at the wrong time when he fx my jaw. i was trying to listen breath sounds and he gave me a left cross. he died just after.

siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc

you have more nerve than i have. it wasn't stupidity.

nah...i'm actually not kidding. Family/patients don't have have the right to threaten me. Not to sound like a hardass but if push comes to shove, i'm gonna shove. These people have to understand they can't cuss out and hit nurses in the ER whenever they want. I got into this profession to help people, not to get beat up or be verbally abused by people.

I am concerned about your attitude. I have been a nurse since 1967. I have only been physically assaulted once. And the individual was reacting to his father being allowed to sign out AMA from the ICU I worked in. This does not excuse his behavior but it does explain his reaction. No one has to be assualted or abused but how one handles the situation can have a lasting impact on everyone. To be confrontational just adds to an all ready negative situation. Communication, non-confrontational in nature, it the key to resolving a situation and defusing it. Or that is my take on any situation where it can be defused.

Grannynurse :balloons:

+ Add a Comment