LTC TBI Patient is violent!!

[Sammijo1122]

Wow.. where ,to start.

I took a job at a local LTC facility and am in training for my CNA. I work on a locked all male unit, and basically our residents come to us, because no other LTC facilities will take them.

This particular resident stole my heart. He has a long standing TBI, he has been in LTC for 18 of his 38 years. He cannot speak, although I do feel he understands what we say to him.

Anywhoo... every time I go in with my CNA that I am shadowing to care for him, he inevitably hits , pinches or mostly BITES one of us. I think he bit me 5x yesterday alone between 6A and 6p. Someone has to hold onto his "good" arm or he reaches into his briefs and "fingerpaints":barf02:

My DON took me in the office for my TB test yesterday and he saw the bite mark and asked what happened, so I told him. He talked to my CNA and after he left she said "Oh, he just doesn't understand MR. K., he doesn't MEAN to hurt anyone.".

Well, I understand that, but how much of this do I take? I want to get my CNA so I can move on to LPN and also to move to a hospital setting.

How is the best way to handle a combatative TBI patient and a too "forgiving" CNA??

Thanks.

SammiJo

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

RUN, don't walk from there...the catch is that while it good to be getting your CNA...Nobody has to work with a patient that is going to BITE(????!!!!) you on a regular basis....are you getting tests for anything that patient may have?....Many patients who I see with bites end up with cellulitis..the human mouth is one of the dirtiest places of the body...That patient should have on a bite shield or something to protect both workers and himself.....

Honey, get the heck outta there! It's not fair to you or the other staff....NOBODY deserves to put up with that without protection. Take a hard line, and refuse to care for that patient unless measures are taken....or call the state...gl to you.

[Sammijo1122]

RUN, don't walk from there...the catch is that while it good to be getting your CNA...Nobody has to work with a patient that is going to BITE(????!!!!) you on a regular basis....are you getting tests for anything that patient may have?....Many patients who I see with bites end up with cellulitis..the human mouth is one of the dirtiest places of the body...That patient should have on a bite shield or something to protect both workers and himself.....

Honey, get the heck outta there! It's not fair to you or the other staff....NOBODY deserves to put up with that without protection. Take a hard line, and refuse to care for that patient unless measures are taken....or call the state...gl to you.

Thanks, I am thinking the same things. I just feel like I will be back to square one:o, but I cannot tolerate being assaulted. I am a survivor of Domestic Violence- 16 years now. I am not going to allow a PT to put me through the agony again.

Sammi