Patient who shoves

[beeble]

What do you all do with a physically threatening patient? I had a patient who shoved me, the lab person and the charge nurse because he wanted water and was npo. Then of course when the MD comes around he acts like nothing happened.

[voraciousj]

If they're AxO...call the cops.

[TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN]

Just to be clear, physically threatening is when they say they are going to shove you. It's assault when they do it and you don't have to put up with that.

[Runman1914, MSN, RN]

Some reason police was not called or at least security? Contrary to what patients believe they can be arrested . Npo is second only to Dilaudid for violent patients. I would have totally pressed charges. Although i do know a nurse that was fired for calling police.

[beeble]

Its a county hosp....this is unfortunately not that unusual. I did tell my charge rn, and left it up to her. We put him in a privaye, I wrote a note, and didnt go back in the room except when the md came. I hope i dont get him tonight again.

[Runman1914, MSN, RN]

You are saying your hospital expects the nurses to take physical abuse?

[beeble]

I guess thats why I am writing...I would have expected more of a response too. But no...And when I called the md, she wasnt concerned. Came to round at 0730, but nothing till then. So just wondering... The pt stays in a shelter normally, ex ETOH.

[Runman1914, MSN, RN]

You have every right to call police and file charges on an oriented patient. You dont need charge nurse or any hospital permission. If this happens again you are at fault for not calling police. No offense. Many nurses dont call police out of fear of their job.

Dont let any superior intimidate you.

[casi, ASN, RN]

Call security to talk to him.

If that doesn't work, give him the water and document your butt off of how the patient refused the NPO status.