Geri psych unit...no security, no respiratory therapy

[Marshall1]

There is a geri psych position on a unit that is hospital based...this is a small unit and open less than a year. There is usually one RN and one tech for the patients (max 12)..however, there is no security at all - ever. If there is a patient who acts out/needs restraints a code can be called and "if" there are men working in the hospital they respond - if it's after hours, weekends or holidays then it's 9-1-1. There is also no respiratory therapy in the hospital after 5 p.m. but someone on call. Granted this is a small hospital but still...I think there should be some security 24/7 for the whole hospital and respiratory as well...am I seeing this wrong?

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I think security is a huge necessity, but think respiratory therapy isn't quite so necessary. Nurses often do breathing treatments for their patients. If it's more than that that's needed, then it's another story...

[Marshall1]

Yes, i mean there is no RT for the WHOLE hospital after 5. I was shocked..as far as security...again, not just for this unit but NONE EVER for the hospital. Just strange to me...

[elkpark]

I've worked in psych for many years (decades), and I've worked years in settings where there was no security and no RT available "after hours." Whispera is right, it's reasonable for nurses to do routine nebulizer eatments for clients that need them (and I've done it many times over the years) and have an RT on call for more involved situations.

As for security, I (personally) would be more concerned about whether the people who do respond in an emergency on the psych unit have had some kind of crisis intervention/de-escalation training than whether they're specificalyl designated as "security" and wearing a uniform or not.

[Wabi Sabi, BSN, RN]

I float to a Geriatric Psych ICU unit (high acuity) frequently and what you described is pretty common. Having RT on call or even not having RT after hours at all is not really a big deal. Also, at the hospitals that I have been to security personnel are never involved in any emergency situations. You, as a nurse, and your coworkers are the ones responsible for handling codes. Often, we would call other units to get male staff to come and help out. However, we can always call a code using a telephone and from my experience, more than enough people show up to help out. I have never felt unsafe at my work.