I'm just wondering if any of your hospitals provide training on 'take downs'. Do you call a Code M (Man Power Needed)?
At my old hosp, if pts became violent or if visitors did, everyone available was supposed to help subdue the person. But heck, I had no expereince putting my hands on anyone and holding them...made me really uncomfortable. One petite nurse had her teeth kicked out!
What about on psych units? What is the training like to do that kind of thing?
I work at an in patient psych hospital. All of my patients have crimminal charges pending. We do physical "take down" training every 6 months. At my facillity, I have a "panic" button on my keychain. If I feel I need help with a patient, I push the button and a "code 10" is announced over the PA. The computer can pinpoint the exact location of the button within 10 feet so people know exactly where they are needed. I usually have 6-8 people there in about 20 seconds. It's nice. I've only pushed it once in 6 months. A couple of patients got into a fist fight and started using pool balls as weapons!! Fun evening!!
I work inpatient psych also and they use PMAB, and we use it frequently...when we have a patient who is getting out of control but I'm still able to talk to him/her, I'll talk and offer PRN meds...if it continues to escalate and we have the people on the unit to handle it, we'll use a show of force...after that, it goes up to 'silent code zero', which is where the person at the desk calls the other units to ask if extra people can come help...I've only heard one 'code zero' over the PA and it was for a fight that broke out between two patients...we try to not announce that over the PA because it tends to get the other patients riled up...last thing we need! lol
I'm not in a psych unit, but we have a "Code Violet" (Violence)... When this code is called all the men in the area are supposed to report & so is the lift team (a group of thorough strapping young lads :redbeathe :) ). As to whether or not they are specially trained I am not sure!
Meerkat
432 Posts
Amazing!