I am a Registered Nurse case manager for community mental health. I was called into the med clinic last week to help out as they were short a nurse. I was performing an assessment on a patient after her appointment with Psychiatrist. This consumer is a middle aged woman with Borderline Personality Disorder with past SA history. When assessment was finished, I handed my consumer the Doctor's order for drug screen to be performed at lab across the street. This is a new policy and must be completed before hard copy script for benzo's can be given. I explained this to consumer very thoroughly and she became upset. She states, "I have never had to do this before," and her tone of voice became hard and loud with the use of many expletives. I remained professional and continued to explain the policy. Another RN who is a clinic veteran came into room and helped to explain the new policy, and was very sweet and sincere in her explanation. Consumer refused to do labs stating she "Has a volunteer driver who will leave me, I have my granddaughter with me," and, "I have people waiting for me at home." She also stated she will have this performed at her PCP's office. We continued to explain this will only take five minutes of her time and she can leave with scripts. Consumer left AMA without lab slip or her scripts.
Consumer was observed in the lobby 30 minutes later filing a Recipient's Rights violation on me stating "I touched her and I was very unprofessional toward her." She called her caseworker and left a message stating I touched her and tried to spread her legs. During assessment, I did ask consumer to uncross her legs and place feet flat on floor shoulder width apart. I asked that she not speak, close eyes and think pleasant thoughts while BP is being performed. I did touch her shoe when I asked her to place feet shoulder width apart. The only other touching was placing sphygmonameter and stethoscope on arm. I am very upset about this and my boss is aware of these allegations. I am reaching out for consultation from others who may have had similar incidents. Should I retain legal representation for protection and/or libel?