How do you handle inappropriate touching from patients?

Nurses Relations

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Specializes in Geriatric.

I work in a LTC and most of the old men are quite literally 'dirty old men'. I am a well endowed person and have this issue a lot. I have one patient that will go as far as trying to rub his toes on my breasts while I'm doing a treatment on his legs. Telling him his behavior is inappropriate only seems to egg it on and make it worse. I finally told him I was only 16 and what he was doing was not only inappropriate but also illegal. I'm not 16 but thankfully I look it so I was able to pull the lie off with ease.

How do you handle inappropriate touching from patients?

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Redirect and report. Bring another person in the room with you if possible.

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I'm pretty sure that rubbing ones toes on purpose on an unwilling woman's breasts is illegal whether the woman is under or over 18. What these residents are doing isn't acceptable behavior. I would let them know in a calm, firm voice that it needs to stop, and it needs to stop now. I'd inform my manager about the problem.

Are these patients cognitively impaired? Can you position yourself in a way that makes it more difficult for this resident to reach the parts you understandably wish to keep to yourself? Is it possible to pair up with a co-worker or switch assignments?

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for the ones who are not demented /cognitively impaired: warn him that you will call the police and press charges next time he touches you inappropriately. he does it one more time? call the police and press charges.

the best part is, word gets about. you won't have to do this with every disgusting pervert in the facility. the first time you make a police report, everyone will hear about it, which is a convenient way to scare off all the other creeps who are used to getting away with doing the same thing.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I tell them to knock it off right now or I will leave the room and not help them. And then I do if there is anything other than an apology forthcoming. Even mildly demented patients seem to understand this logical consequence.

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When I've had patient's that were inappropriate I'll tell them "I'm a married woman and that is inappropriate". Whatever you say you have to do it with a serious voice, no hint of a smile. I would then leave, report the behavior to your supervisor. It can't be tolerated.

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There should be a warning in a firm substantial tone highlighting the seriousness of their action. It not only happens to staff working there but also to numerous LVN students who go for rotation in these facilities. Key is to warn early and get somebody to stand if possible while performing patient care. Some listen and some are quite stubborn and then the appropriate supervisor needs to repeat the facilities rules and policies regarding behavior with staff to the resident.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

It is sad to me, that women in America are so accustomed to men behaving badly around and toward them that they are unsure of what they can or should do about it.

Seriously!

What man would question what he should do if a patient was fondling his genitals during care?

This speaks of a level of cultural sexism that is truly unhealthy for everyone.

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It is sad to me, that women in America are so accustomed to men behaving badly around and toward them that they are unsure of what they can or should do about it.

Seriously!

What man would question what he should do if a patient was fondling his genitals during care?

This speaks of a level of cultural sexism that is truly unhealthy for everyone.

Well said. I think it’s beyond sad that any woman feels they have to come up with a reason why it’s unacceptable to touch their breasts, if they don’t want them touched. Age and marital status doesn’t have anything to do with it. It’s simply not acceptable for another person to touch them against your will. It’s your body.

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Specializes in Geriatric.

I'm liking the responses. The patient in question is cognitively impaired sometimes but for the most part he knows what's going on. The law keeps being brought up. Does it make a difference if the patient is a 90 some year old man in a nursing home? I mean what's the law to do in that situation? Ltc employees are growing accustomed to just deal with it and document it.

Also no amount of "knock it off that's inappropriate behavior" stops him. He doesn't care. We do go in twos into his room but that doesn't stop him either.

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I would stop care and inform that patient that I will not provide xyz care if they are going to do that behavior.

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Get one of those Phaser doo-hickies like they have on Star Trek. Set it to stun.

Works every time.

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