This is sad and disturbing

The problem is world wide. This is from a couple of years ago but the strategy points are still valid

7 September 2001

Zero Tolerance to Violence

At the annual conference in 2000, delegates endorsed a resolution calling for a Zero Tolerance to Violence by 2002 Campaign, and the setting up of a working party to put together the required resources to assist members in the formuilation of appropriate policy development to occur in workplaces. The working party which was subsequently formed consisted of Jocelyn Rogers, Kay Foran, Chris Hahne and Kate Jenner. The campaign has a multifaceted approach aimed at:

The community - raising awareness of what is happening and telling them that this behaviour is not acceptable to nurses.

Nurses themselves - telling them they do not have to accept that violence is "part of the job", and that something can be put in place to prevent or minimise it.

Employers - to identify that this is an issue for their nursing staff and to work with them to develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent or minimise violence. Also to have procedures clearly identified for when an incident does occur inclusive of debriefing procedures. Furthermore we need to identify where there may be gaps in legislation, protocols etc that may inhibit actions being taken to prevent violence or lay charges against individuals.

Government - To work with government to ensure there is legislative basis to protect nurses in the workforce and allow them or their employer to take appropriate actions and against individual perpetrators of violence.

This campaign, launched at Conference 2001 by the QNU's OH&S Officer, Amanda Richards is part of a national approach being taken to this issue by the Australian Nursing Federation and its respective state and territory branches. The Working Party presented its findings to Conference 2001, and we give you a brief overview of the Committee's work since its formation

http://www.qnu.org.au/current.htm

As always, "we will get exactly as much crap as we will take." - sjoe

As long as we perpetuate the notion that the "customer is always right" and we are to tolerate whatever boorish/inappropriate behavior from patients/families in the name of customer satisfaction, this will continue.

I am always pleasant, but firm in my stance that I will not be threatened or intimidated. Some people aren't even doing it consciously, but most are and are doing it because they have gotten good results from that behavior in the past.

If a pt/family assaulted me, you can bet your sweet bippy charges would be filed. (exceptions for the psychotic and demented, of course.)

Verbal threats and general unrelenting unreasonable behavior are met with, "X is what I can do. If that's not sufficient for you, administration can be reached at ..."

Thus far, I haven't had anyone take me up on it. In my experience, most people who bully are shut down by someone who lets them know it will not be tolerated.