paul1980s

They come through intake, run by non medical personnel, process without blood alcohol level taken, sign contracts, admitted onto the unit/ward then get tested for alcohol level. Then wait for a few hours to be seen by psychiatrist. If someone level is 4 to 6 times over the legal limit to drive. That is not informed consent in my opinion. No one seen to care or question the process, maybe I am out of step with the working of this hospital. I have anxiety coming to work, will this be the throughout the areas, I like to stay in addictions, but if this is the way, then I must consider changing and working in different area after Christmas. Thankyou for you input.

The informed consent of a person must be sought before treatment or medical treatment is given to a person in accordance with the Mental Health Act. The Mental Health Act 2014 requires clinicians topresume that all people receiving compulsory mental health treatment have the capacity to give informed consent to treatment. I always thought that our primary role as nurses are advocate for patient protect their rights. Surely I wouldn't want to sign financial contract when under the influence of drugs or alcohol, so why should I be asking someone to sign over their insurance and financial details when they are under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Thankyou for your replied canoehead.

I feel terrible about the way the organisation routinely and systematically abuses patient basic human rights. I work for a private hospital that belong to one of the largest group in the country, been there about 3 years now, started working in drugs and alcohol unit 18 months ago. I feel hopeless and helpless with my situation, I’m planning to look for a new job after Christmas. I have witness countless admissions where patient are admitted while intoxicated, their blood alcohol concentration are at a dangerous level. Their insurance and financial detail are collected and they sign and agree to paid for any additional cost that their insurance won’t cover. I have seen 2 nurses who brought up the issue in the ward meeting, one of then got transfer to another unit, the other is being investigated by management over a complaints made by an unnamed patient. I got into nursing because I want to help people, not to abuse their rights or be part of a system that exploit vulnerable people financially. The Human Right Commission declined to help, Health Care Commission of Victoria wanted me to approach my employer and discuss the issue. I want to go to the media and expose them but the frontline worker are the one that get their hands dirty.