Have you ever felt unsafe while in HH?

Published

I have read older threads on this subject and am looking for others to share their experiences.

Thanks for the responses.

Specializes in ICU.

Not too long ago I was on a case in an apartment complex in an inner city(large city) and I was working night shift. Well, at about 3 am I looked out the window and seen four people sitting on the trunk of my car just having a good old time. One of them had a lighter and the flame was lit.. and it kept going and going,, and he had it up like he was smoking something that needed to be constantly lit.. *who am I to say it was crack? meth? who knows? . Anyway, I was scared and mad at the same time.

ANd I knew that if I called the police, the only thing that would happen would be my car getting slashed up after the police leave. SO, for hours that night I watched them sit there and smoke their drugs. I tried to go back to the patient and forget it was even happening.

As far as how to keep this from happening again? Not going back there. I have to drive my car to my work. But I will not drive it to such a place that I have to worry about crack smokers sitting on it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School LVN, Peds HH.

I've had two HH jobs. The first I was assigned to South Orange County... not much to be scared of there. Just a lot of rich folk. But I did have a mean old lady once, 350+lbs and non-compliant. I just hated going on visits to her house. My job now is a NOC shift. I don't feel really unsafe, but I do feel uneasy. I think its mostly because I'm the only one up and awake.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Had a drug bust next door to patient complete with SWAT, many police in cruisers, and a helicopter overhead. I knew I'd be safe walking to my car on that day!! Unfortunately, the guy wasn't home.

Actually, the circling helicopter is pretty standard fare on the weekends. You learn to adapt to it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Tele, Home Health, Case Management.

WOW! I am shocked at some of the posts I just read.

Erroridiot- I can't believe how much you've been through! You are truly brave to continue to work in HH with such experiences.

The worst I've seen is an apartment infested with all sorts of bugs, trash, etc. The only "fear" I had was that a cockroach or rat was going to crawl on me!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion