Pushed Around..

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Just wondering what other opinions there may be out there about an incident that happened to me the other night at work.

A patient had a syncopal episode while being ambulated after open heart surgery. The nurses lowered him to the floor and called for help. I arrived, and began to assess the situation, making room for the crash cart, and applying oxygen to the patient (he was awake at this point).

The RT arrived, and while I was applying oxygen, she pushed me (physically pushed my arm) away from the patient. No verbal warning, no, "excuse me", nothing.

I looked at her and stated assertively, "There is no need to push me, we are all here to help the patient." and continued to work with the patient.

I do not feel comfortable speaking with the RT at this time. She is a bully and has been rude and unprofessional other times towards me. So, I tried to use a 3rd party to discuss the matter a few hours later and she was defensive, stating that it's bound to happen in those types of situations and that's just how she does things. She tried to tell me that I was in the wrong for being in the way. I explained to her that she could have asked me to move or tap my shoulder, but pushing is not appropriate. She continued to deny her mistake.

At this point she said, "It's over and done with, and I'm not talking about it any more."

So, I have just spoken with her manager about the incident.

Have I taken this too far?

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Specializes in OB (with a history of cardiac).

What is your role? Are you an RN, LPN, CNA? What did she do after she pushed your arm out of the way? I have been told that in a code, it's nothing but a mass of pushing, shoving, and flying arms and legs- as many as 10-15 people in a room sometimes; docs, nurses, lab staff, pharmacy staff, RT's, and of course the patient.

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Specializes in Hospice.

No. The RT was acting unprofessionally and sounds like a bully. You are in the right talking to her manager. Yo might also want to talk to HR if she actually got physical with you. (The pushing / shoving)

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

That is a crime, it is called battery. Someone needs to step up and report her behavior. "It's your fault for being in the way"? Wow. It is not "bound to happen". She believes this behavior is acceptable and it is not. I would file a complaint through HR and call the police. If no one adjusts her attitude it will just continue, good luck.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

I'm a RN. Been doing this almost 8 years. I have been involved in countless codes, not to mention running the code blue team and teaching ACLS, CPR and PALS for over 6 years. We don't teach pushing.

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Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.
i'm a rn. been doing this almost 8 years. i have been involved in countless codes, not to mention running the code blue team and teaching acls, cpr and pals for over 6 years. we don't teach pushing.

unquestionably, i agree with you 100%. however, there are times that in the midst of all medical staff responding to a code, is not strange to see arms flying and people crowding each other if it's a small room. having said that, at least you got your point across the rt in questioned, i'm certain that she will re-think her actions in the future if you both are involved in another code. hopefully, the pt. is doing well and that's what really matters. wishing you the best always...aloha~

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What is your role? Are you an RN, LPN, CNA? What did she do after she pushed your arm out of the way? I have been told that in a code, it's nothing but a mass of pushing, shoving, and flying arms and legs- as many as 10-15 people in a room sometimes; docs, nurses, lab staff, pharmacy staff, RT's, and of course the patient.

Really, does it matter what her role is? Respect goes a long way!

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That is a crime, it is called battery. Someone needs to step up and report her behavior. "It's your fault for being in the way"? Wow. It is not "bound to happen". She believes this behavior is acceptable and it is not. I would file a complaint through HR and call the police. If no one adjusts her attitude it will just continue, good luck.

Call the police?! Seriously?

Her actions were inappropriate and need to be addressed. But calling the police because someone pushed your arm away from the patient seems like a gross overreaction to me.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

don't let people get away with physical force. Inappropriate but I would not involve police unless there was injury or repeated violence

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That is a crime, it is called battery.

Oh, stop it. Sure we have a matter on our hands but you don't need to make it worse than it really is.

edit: oh LORDY! I just read the police line. haha I wouldn't even have addressed her post had I read that all the way through

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Just wondering what other opinions there may be out there about an incident that happened to me the other night at work.

A patient had a syncopal episode while being ambulated after open heart surgery. The nurses lowered him to the floor and called for help. I arrived, and began to assess the situation, making room for the crash cart, and applying oxygen to the patient (he was awake at this point).

The RT arrived, and while I was applying oxygen, she pushed me (physically pushed my arm) away from the patient. No verbal warning, no, "excuse me", nothing.

I looked at her and stated assertively, "There is no need to push me, we are all here to help the patient." and continued to work with the patient.

I do not feel comfortable speaking with the RT at this time. She is a bully and has been rude and unprofessional other times towards me. So, I tried to use a 3rd party to discuss the matter a few hours later and she was defensive, stating that it's bound to happen in those types of situations and that's just how she does things. She tried to tell me that I was in the wrong for being in the way. I explained to her that she could have asked me to move or tap my shoulder, but pushing is not appropriate. She continued to deny her mistake.

At this point she said, "It's over and done with, and I'm not talking about it any more."

So, I have just spoken with her manager about the incident.

Have I taken this too far?

Nope. That is totally inappropriate. If she pushed the wrong person, she might find herself getting back the same or even worse. You tried talking to her, then you tried having someone mediate; she wouldn't cooperate. You really had no other choice.

Tensions run high in those sorts of situations, but that kind of behavior is unacceptable.

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YOU were on the scene first... YOU were attending the patient.

This respiratory therapist had no right nor reason to push you aside.

This would be considered interfering with the flow of ANY emergency response .

You made the right decision to report this to your manager.

However, now you must follow through to the end.

This could involve a team conference with you, your manager(who sounds like a wimp) the therapist and the respiratory manager.

Good luck, keep us posted.

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