Taking Patients down in the ER

[teeituptom]

I don't know about ya'll, but truthfully. I'm not as young as I used to be. And it isnt as easy for me as it used to be to be able to take patients down in the ER. When these patients under the influence of, drugs, alcohol, Behavioral problems, Psychiatric disorders escalate their behaviour to a disruptive, threatening, even combative state. Even with assitance, Im getting a little to old for this. I can still do it. But I get damaged easier and take longer to heal. I have a few bruises from my last one. Im sure glad when the Geodon and Lorazepam kick in.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

I have no idea why some people are so quick to defend a criminal who commits assault and battery, and then try to demonize or even prosecute the victim for defending themself.

Personally, I will stop anyone who assaults me, on the job or off. I will use necessary force only, but I will use as much force is needed to make sure that I go home safe every shift and so do the rest of the good guys.

Sometimes you need to swat the wackos before they swat you.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Aeroslized ativan in the waiting room??? Makes everyone happy!

[mamalle]

its not worth me getting hurt. I have a OT cop working in the ER and let him do it. I had a drunk the other day that was combative. I stayed away until he was restrained..

[bigjim]

Sometimes you need to swat the wackos before they swat you.

Hit 'em back first, as my Krav Maga teacher used to say. :trout:

[ag01medic]

If you're in a real bind a brachial plexus strike can really stun them and the side effects are short term. It doesn't take much force either.

I prefer ketamine spray :)

[andhow5, BSN, RN]

I usually joke, "Sux in a blowdart for everyone!"

Seriously.

Every shift I work anymore there is some sort of physical scuffle. And the verbal abuse - Whoo! It's now considered the norm to be verbally abused and threatened. In our clientele's minds, it's OK to be rude and treat us like their servants.

In our minds however...

Things get very ugly very quickly. And when we hear the phrase, "I need help!" being screamed - you all drop and run unless you're bagging or doing chest compressions.

And that's including all the assorted law officers!

:trout:

[jojotoo, RN]

Hit 'em back first, as my Krav Maga teacher used to say. :trout:

I like that motto!

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Actually at my size I just sit on them till they cool dool down

[bigsyis]

Actually at my size I just sit on them till they cool dool down

Not sure how big you are Tom, but we had a PCP/Cocaine pt several years ago that was four-pointed in leathers face-down on the stretcher being held down by SIX law enforcement officers, with a 300 lb EMT lying on his back. He was the wildest, craziest pt I ever had. He had already chunked out part of one of my fingers by pinching me with his long fingernails through my glove and had overturned the stretcher when he was leathered in a semi-reclining position. This guy had torn up his mother's house and run through a closed window and into the woods, tearing off his clothes as he ran. I don't remember how many law enforcement officers it took to help EMS get him to the hospital, but everybody was worn out after that guy. I never wanted to hit a patient so badly in my whole career!:uhoh3:

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Not sure how big you are Tom, but we had a PCP/Cocaine pt several years ago that was four-pointed in leathers face-down on the stretcher being held down by SIX law enforcement officers, with a 300 lb EMT lying on his back. He was the wildest, craziest pt I ever had. He had already chunked out part of one of my fingers by pinching me with his long fingernails through my glove and had overturned the stretcher when he was leathered in a semi-reclining position. This guy had torn up his mother's house and run through a closed window and into the woods, tearing off his clothes as he ran. I don't remember how many law enforcement officers it took to help EMS get him to the hospital, but everybody was worn out after that guy. I never wanted to hit a patient so badly in my whole career!:uhoh3:

That guy, Geodon and ativan, if that fails. Then RSI. and lots of propofol.

[mcknis]

I prefer ketamine spray :)

Do they really make that? That is freaking awesome if they do. I have envisioned giving an Ativan/Haldol combo in a MACE can that would be legal for all nursing staff. I prefer the largest size possible (like hunters use on bears in the wild)!