Safety/Security procedures

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Apr 15, 2009

In all honesty, I feel safer walking the yard than I did working at a hospital that was in a poor economic area. A lot of measures are taken to protect employees, and you can be pretty sure that no one will pull a gun on you. I was far more likely to be assaulted in the hospital. We aren't left alone with inmates, and if a guy moves toward me (which hasn't happened, BTW), he is kissing concrete in a split second.

Jailhouse nurse · Apr 17, 2009

I can't count the number of times that I've been kicked, punched, pushed, screamed at, or threatened...in private healthcare facilities over the course of 9 years. At no time was I provided with anything resembling support, much less sympathy. Most often, I was treated as if I must have done something wrong. :angryfire

I've been pushed once into a wall in a correctional facility (by a foolish, foolish individual). Within 20 seconds, the room was filled with uniforms to help me, and I had the opportunity to press charges. My coworkers were overwhelming supportive, and even the other inmates apologized to me for the incident! :bugeyes:

Correctional nursing, IMHO, is much, much safer than private facilities.

Best,

Mary

JDCitizen · Apr 17, 2009

The potential is there in correctional nursing and in regular public nursing:

Regular hospitals the use of restraints being allowed has steadily been going down and staffing levels have been steadily going down as patient loads have been steadily going up. An Alzheimer patient that hits you probably wouldn't have hit you in normal circumstances but that doesn't take the pain away. I have had trouble in a hospital with a drunk patient and I called security 30 minutes later a 60+ year old man with a ankle cast limped onto the scene.

Correctional: So far I have never been hit. I/we often hear inmates snide comments but when one crosses the line and raise his voice or becomes verbally abusive the response is quick (I call it blue on white; the officers are in blue the inmates are in white). We also have a tactical squad that responds. The last two times it was about 20:1 response....

The big, big difference between the settings is that correctional health care is a mind game and thats their game but to add to the difficulty its not always on purpose.

All in one day in one area:

1) Wide range of mental health problems.

2) Wide range of medical problems and some of those very well are terminal

3) Wide range of social / economic differences

4) Different cultures

5) Different ages (population I work with; teens to old men in wheelchairs)

6) Wide range of criminal back grounds (first timers, repeats, lifers)

Now add to that to security concerns....

1) Medical device needed will be used in a violent manner (cane used for walking is used to hit officer).

2) ACE wrap used as a noose.

3) Medications: always the potential of diversion / misuse. Some even fool the drug screens.

4) Everyday medical items (needle, scissors, etc..) can/will be turned into weapons

5) etc.

6) etc.

Are there reports/articles about violence in prison against medical staff: Yes

Are there reports/articles about violence against medical staff in civilian institutions: Yes