How do you handle that "crazy" patient?

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We got a 54 y/o woman in yesterday. She didn't like the way we did anything and I'll be dammed if she didnt' call Channel 4 news and the police. She tried to have one of the nurses arrested because the IV stick hurt. She was telling Channel 4 that we were ignoring all of her requests. It was her birthday and she wanted a steak dinner and a birthday cake. She told us that she would have gone to another hospital but that they had once killed her (apparently brought her back) and they she was in litagation with that hospital and that she had recently learned that her medical records were convienently missing. A real fruitcake I tell you. Wants to go out to smoke constantly. Admitted with COPD exacerbation. I know I should feel compassion for this fruitcake and actually I do but I avoided her like the plague because I don't want to get involved in any lawsuit. She was saying how she was best friends with the CNO and CEO (of course they don't know who she is) , she's saying she's going to have everyone's job before it's over. If you get assigned a person like this how do you handle them? I've had patient tell me before that they were going to sue me because I wouldn't give them pain meds early or let them go out to smoke and stuff like that and I basically told them that I was following the rules and would not put my licsence in jeopardy and they could do what they felt that they needed to do as far as a lawyer was concerned. This particular patient seems different, really scary.........any thoughts?

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Delusions of grandeur, that's my suggestion.

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Specializes in Medical.

Forget the dart gun - I like the idea of aerosol Valium!

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
Sometimes, I swear, I'm going to invent an Ativan dart gun and just aim it at the people (staff, docs, patients, families, myself) who are driving me nuts.

:rotfl: :rotfl:

I'm sure that when you do, nurses won't be allowed to have them. Such a shame!:rotfl:

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One of the LTC residents recently called the state on us because he said "a nurse spilled ice water on him." Now no one is allowed to enter his room alone. He has a history of this kind of nonsense so everyone has to bring someone with them whenever they enter his room. Therefore, the nurse or caregiver will now have a "witness" as to what actually happens. :uhoh3:

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5 mg of Haldol and a playphone where she can make all her 'calls' in complete peace. Literally.

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One of the LTC residents recently called the state on us because he said "a nurse spilled ice water on him." Now no one is allowed to enter his room alone. He has a history of this kind of nonsense so everyone has to bring someone with them whenever they enter his room. Therefore, the nurse or caregiver will now have a "witness" as to what actually happens. :uhoh3:

Really? Just because of ice water? Sheesh. Seems that guy has a little bit of a power trip going, and the state authorities should know that when they see one.

Seems like a lot of labor effort being spent on this one person. Good for you for taking on these troublemakers!

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One of the LTC residents recently called the state on us because he said "a nurse spilled ice water on him." Now no one is allowed to enter his room alone. He has a history of this kind of nonsense so everyone has to bring someone with them whenever they enter his room. Therefore, the nurse or caregiver will now have a "witness" as to what actually happens. :uhoh3:

Really? Just because of ice water? Sheesh. Seems that guy has a little bit of a power trip going, and the state authorities should know that when they see one.

Seems like a lot of labor effort being spent on this one person. Good for you for taking on these troublemakers!

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Sound like the majority of my patients..I would not let her out to smoke ...If she wondered off and got lost, or something happened to her you could be held liable. If she persisted I'd have her sign ama papers before going out. I'd also call the doctor and get an order for ativan. and get psyche involved. Remember also that compassion goes a long way..Perhaps some family would like to come sit with her. We also get patients that call 911 on us. Some call the hospital operator too. Document everything. Did channel 4 ever come to do a story???Merry Christmas

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At our facility there was a pt with suicidal tendencies who was allowed to go for a smoke and took a nose dive off the 30 ft ramp to the concrete below.

I think it could have been avoided.

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