Nurses being harassed by patients and or their folks

cyberfanatic · Sep 26, 2008

hmmm...well, generally, everything or anything that induces harrassment of any kind to an individual is a clear and evident violation of human rights. im not fond of laws and ethics though, that's why i can't give the specifics. but then, yes, I am interested to find out! hmm. =)

potatomasher · Sep 29, 2008

Well human rights is quite broad. I think having laws pertaining to harassment of nurses in the hospital by patients or folks is a must.

Nurses do need protection. And nurses are not superhumans that can take up any kind of insult. They have feelings.

I was irked by an incident lately. A folks of the patient got irritated because the nurse trainee prescribed the betadine paint instead of betadine solution. So here goes the folk of the patient looking for the nurse who prescribed the medication (thankfully she was in another area). And then started saying bad things.

I mean they have the right to demand but not give insults. Just because these people pay for their healthcare they cannot just insult any person in the healthcare team.

So I think by having an anti-harassment law will untilmately give a check and balance to this issue.

gorgeous77, LPN, LVN · Sep 30, 2008

don't know much about the laws, but harassment is very common in hospitals, be it the here in the philippines or abroad. at least that's just verbal abuse, i've been working in the er, and you will encounter a lot of physical abuse as well, patients fighting and stuff like that. you just have o be a tough nurse and show them you're in charge. the nurses are not the only ones who experience harassment, doctors do too. you just have to be professional in dealing with these people and keep your cool, no matter how mad you are feeling inside..

lien17m · Sep 30, 2008

So, there are no specific law for harassment in the Philippines?? so what do you do then, in cases of repeated abuse from patients. what if you fight back to protect yourself? This is something that is usually of least concern among most of the hospitals. I think if we're always faced with laws to protect our patients..then i guess its only fair if we lobby for laws to protect us health workers...

RNHawaii34 · Oct 1, 2008

have you ever been harrassed by the patient or family member? if so, I suggest you should approach your supervisor as soon as possible, but honestly I never heard of a law protecting nurses from being harrassed or beaten up.

pinkroyalty18, LPN, LVN · Oct 2, 2008

hhmmm that left me thinking..im trying to remember any law that we have tackled during our professional adjustment class but i cant remember anything that specifically protects us nurses...It's all about protecting the patient's rights but never OUR rights...

Anyway,the closest thing i can think of is PD 442,Labor Code of the Philippines...It promotes the welfare of ALL workers-nurses included...

lien17m · Oct 2, 2008

hhmmm that left me thinking..im trying to remember any law that we have tackled during our professional adjustment class but i cant remember anything that specifically protects us nurses...It's all about protecting the patient's rights but never OUR rights...
Anyway,the closest thing i can think of is PD 442,Labor Code of the Philippines...It promotes the welfare of ALL workers-nurses included...

:wink2: you did your research Pink!...i hope thats included in all hospital facility handbooks...besides the " dont recieve any gifts, cash or compensation of any form from student nurses or patients" which in reality ....isn't respected these days... :sniff: ... or any law or policy.... for us nurses

pinkroyalty18, LPN, LVN · Oct 2, 2008

:wink2: you did your research Pink!...i hope thats included in all hospital facility handbooks...besides the " dont recieve any gifts, cash or compensation of any form from student nurses or patients" which in reality ....isn't respected these days...... or any law or policy.... for us nurses

oh not really....:chuckle I just got curious,that's all...and i guess we can include the RA 7305 Magna Carta for PUBLIC healthworkers..I am not so sure though to what extent these laws cover verbal abuse and the likes...

dhel28 · Oct 3, 2008

oh not really....:chuckle I just got curious,that's all...and i guess we can include the RA 7305 Magna Carta for PUBLIC healthworkers..I am not so sure though to what extent these laws cover verbal abuse and the likes...

Every company, instituition has a policy and should have an affirmative action policy in place. This is the policy that will cover any form harrasment, even harrasment/abuse from patient, pt. relatives and outsider. Ask your HR about it.

Normally laws are general guidelines for companies to follow, it's up to the companies to convert it to policies. Ask your HR about it.

One good resource is PNA...

pinkroyalty18, LPN, LVN · Oct 3, 2008

Every company, instituition has a policy and should have an affirmative action policy in place. This is the policy that will cover any form harrasment, even harrasment/abuse from patient, pt. relatives and outsider. Ask your HR about it.
Normally laws are general guidelines for companies to follow, it's up to the companies to convert it to policies. Ask your HR about it.
One good resource is PNA...

oh i see..that's why I can't get any specific lines about verbal abuse reading those laws...:chuckle it just stated there that discrimination of workers are prohibited...Better ask the HR then..

lien17m · Oct 4, 2008

Every company, instituition has a policy and should have an affirmative action policy in place. This is the policy that will cover any form harrasment, even harrasment/abuse from patient, pt. relatives and outsider. Ask your HR about it.
Normally laws are general guidelines for companies to follow, it's up to the companies to convert it to policies. Ask your HR about it.
One good resource is PNA...

I do hope the PNA...:) would raise this issue to all hospitals ... and make action to really enforce such laws...from what Pinkroyalty said.. i realize we have a lot of laws proctecting us in the work place.. but do these laws have teeth??? anyhow, a far greater matter..(ive heard a lot of stories form mentors) some abuses are just left to be forgotten and nurses envolved keep quiet about it ... i hope this isn't true...