Physical Assault by Patient

[Kitkit24]

Hello all, last night I had a horrible shift and was kicked by a patient in the stomach. I was trying to help my fellow nurses control an aggressive patient and put mittens on and somehow got injured and went to the ER the rest of my shift. I am traumatized and I wanted to know if anyone has a similar experience and how you've dealt with it? I've been working for almost 4 years now as a nurse and this is my first experience like this... An incident report was filed but I'm still suffering from nausea and stomach pain. 

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

As you are still having nausea and abdominal pain, you need further work up. I was assaulted. I documented it and was evaluated in ER.  If you cannot get past the trauma, you will need treatment from behavioral health.

If you feel you cannot return to work, consider FMLA.

 

[Davey Do]

Kitkit24 said:

I am traumatized and I wanted to know if anyone has a similar experience and how you've dealt with it?

Feeling vulnerable and traumatized when we suffer from an injury caused by a patient can be a horrific experience when we see ourselves as professionals attempting t provide needed care. Not only do we have to deal with the emotional pain, but the physical pain as well, which compounds the pain of the psyche.

Although injured a few times in my career, probably the worse was being stabbed in the back with a pair of heavy blunt scissors by a client diagnosed with undifferentiated schizophrenia back in 1998.

I thought I was tough, took a week off from work, but it was clear to myself and others that I was suffering from symptoms of PTSD when I broke down crying after the morning meeting. The facility paid for three sessions with a psychotherapist, it helped some, but much more was needed.

My supervisor, knowing that I also worked as a free-lance artist, referred me to an art therapist, which was a life changing event. Sessions were about every two weeks for approximately six months, and I learned methods of dealing with trauma through art.

My suggestion, aside from professional intervention concerning both your physical and emotional pain, kitkat, is to express yourself in the written word with a writing implement and paper in order to make your pain a tangible thing. Create images if you feel comfortable doing so. The products of your expressions can be a great catharsis and can be helpful for a counsellor, should you so decide. Consider an EAP professional, in which the facility should provide without cost to you.

Good luck, and the very best to you.

 

[JKL33]

File a police report regarding the assault. If by chance your employer tells you that you can't do that, they are lying.

If you have security, make sure they are called next time there is a a physically aggressive patient. If you don't have security, call the police for help. If your employer doesn't like that tell them to pound sand.

 

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Call your facilities Employee Assistance Program hotline today-- most have 24hr services and can refer you to mental health debriefing today to begin emotional healing post this attack.

{{{ HUG }}}

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

❤️

Be kind to yourself as well. It's an understandable reaction

[Elodea Tiaga]

A nurse instructor had been hit in the back of the neck by a patient with a diet tray; she could never move her head from side-to-side again. Another nurse had her leg broken by a patient during a crisis takedown. Another nurse had her arm broken by a patient "just because" the patient felt like it. I was slugged in the face so hard my glasses flew off my head because a patient felt angry and I was available. I could go on with the physical instances, but the mental and emotional occurrences are worse.

[SunCityInsPhysical, BSN, RN]

I'm a retired OR nurse after 45years and Legal Nurse Consultant. I'm a hospital Trauma survivor. Here's what I went through and learned.

 I sustained an injury in 2012 after making mistake of answering phone on my night off 1:30am. I was called  in to work Trauma case over flow. I sustained 3 Rotator Cuff tears in my right shoulder. I had 5 witnesses(anesthesia and his tech,  Orthopedic surgeon, Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner, Scrub tech and the Manufacturers rep for the plating system).  I managed to get through the case, filed injury report and was treated like crap by employee health, risk manager, my manager and Corp.  I went through the on the job injury mill at a (Magnet designated) Trauma Hospital. Quietly and accurately, Keep minute by minute notes of your physical, mental and professional experiences.Witness statements and keep up with their contact information. Write down anything and everything, every conversation with Employee health, risk manager, your manager, your pain level, use nationally recognized pain scale. Steroids there effect and failure. Pain meds, physical therapy etc. Get hard copies if every document, test X-ray CT, MRI. If you are assigned to alternate duty, document how you are treated by staff, mgmt and Corp. Be curious and cooperative as much as you can, as long as it doesn't exacerbate your condition. File workers comp, go see the General Surgeon they recommend. But....hire a lawyer-hopefully one who uses Legal nurse consultant, get CT Scan and MRI ASAP. Get a Good General Surgeon at a different hospital. DO NOT get discouraged or dissuaded. It took 6 months of pain enduring failed treatments,(increasing disability before finally got an arthroscopic repair. I had a good recovery post op for the most part for a while. I'm now retired after 45 years and just had reverse total shoulder. 

I will be praying that you won't suffer any acute or long term health issues but stay on top of it. No one will volunteer, they would much rater you don't tell anyone, talk with anyone. You have every right to follow through on recieving appropriate effective care.  

Will keep you in my prayers.

 

[B52, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I was punched in the head by a psychotic patient who sneaked up on me while I was looking the other way. I reported it, but I refused to go to the ER. I'm used to being punched and kicked because of my background in martial arts. 

[esrun2015, MSN, RN]

File a police report. This is assault. Even if your facility says no, it is not up to them, this is about you and that person should be held accountable.

[SunCityInsPhysical, BSN, RN]

No healthcare provider should be subjected to physical, verbal, emotional, financial abuse.

Do not brag that you are used to it. Do not accept being treated that way.

If your coworkers or boss don't demand that you file a report they are breaking the law. Your facility is only looking out for themself. I'm pretty sure every state has reporting requirements and Statute of limitations. Should have cognitive issues later and are unable to work or take care of yourself,  you will be hard pressed to file a claim. 

Please take a good look and see the light. 

You are also doing the rest if us a disservice. We must all stand united.

[angeloublue22, BSN, RN]

First of all, good job reaching out. I'm so sorry this happened to you. My advice is to talk about it until you are tired of talking about it, then talk about it some more. Also, of course file a police report. Take some kickboxing class or some strength training, not only for strength but to help yourself feel stronger and more confident and get yourself feeling like a badass. Your work should offer that employee free counseling service too. Take advantage of it. Give yourself some time and room to breathe. Get yourself outdoors if you can as well, just to get yourself out of your head.  It's OK to not be OK right now. I myself have gone through similar things more than once and I've helped my coworkers get through it as well. This happening too much to us. Ugly crying is amazing too! I hope this helps and I wish you the best.