Pt thinks icu is the octagon

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Hey everyone. Had a terrible experience the other night. I've had my fair share of crazy, combative pts in the hospital i work at, but this was by far the worst I've had yet. Dude was crazy most of the night, but manageable. All of the sudden, he wakes up and frantically throws his sheets off, demands to go to the bathroom (wasnt allowed out of bed all night because of his diagnosis), and doesnt take no for an answer. I attempt to slow him down as he gets out of bed but this guy is huge. So i call for help, and after a couple of minutes of this guy going straight UFC on us like we are in an octagon, we get him back in bed (the fact that he turned purple changed his attitude pretty quick.)

Anyways, I have a question, and would like to hear suggestions on what to do with these crazy people. My question is, if I try and physically put this guy in bed, isn't that conisdered a criminal action? Holding somebody agaist their will, and probably assault?

On the other hand, if I verbally tell the pt to stay in bed, but dont physically get in their way because he/she is way bigger than me (and I would get steamrolled real quick), is that considered pt abondonment or failure to protect or something like that since they are icu pts?

Basically, I would like some advice on what to do in these situations. LEGAL ADVICE ONLY, I want to keep my license.

Is it enough for me to just verbally tell the pt to stay/get back in bed? Or will this put my license in danger? Honestly, thats all I want to do because I dont feel like being abused by patients while trying to physically put them back in bed..

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We can't give legal advice per the terms of service.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Hey everyone. Had a terrible experience the other night. I've had my fair share of crazy, combative pts in the hospital i work at, but this was by far the worst I've had yet. Dude was crazy most of the night, but manageable. All of the sudden, he wakes up and frantically throws his sheets off, demands to go to the bathroom (wasnt allowed out of bed all night because of his diagnosis), and doesnt take no for an answer. I attempt to slow him down as he gets out of bed but this guy is huge. So i call for help, and after a couple of minutes of this guy going straight UFC on us like we are in an octagon, we get him back in bed (the fact that he turned purple changed his attitude pretty quick.)

Anyways, I have a question, and would like to hear suggestions on what to do with these crazy people. My question is, if I try and physically put this guy in bed, isn't that conisdered a criminal action? Holding somebody agaist their will, and probably assault?

On the other hand, if I verbally tell the pt to stay in bed, but dont physically get in their way because he/she is way bigger than me (and I would get steamrolled real quick), is that considered pt abondonment or failure to protect or something like that since they are icu pts?

Basically, I would like some advice on what to do in these situations. LEGAL ADVICE ONLY, I want to keep my license.

Is it enough for me to just verbally tell the pt to stay/get back in bed? Or will this put my license in danger? Honestly, thats all I want to do because I dont feel like being abused by patients while trying to physically put them back in bed..

Consult your facility policy & procedure, unit manager, and/or risk management. You can also consult with your professional liability/malpractice insurance carrier as all can advise you how to keep you and the patient safe

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

As per the Terms of Service we cannot give legal advice . Lease contact your risk management and consult your .

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