Unrestrained pittbull

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, Home Health, Case Management.

Pt would not restrain pittbull dog 85lbs(barking at me at door). Pt said, "oh he wont hurt you." i wanted to say tell that to my 9 month old son when 1/2 his face was bitten and he was almost mauled! I left, not pt abandonment, unsafe working conditions. I called my agency.I thought aggressive dogs were to be restrained for clinicians in the pt home due to safety!Any facts on this would be appreciated.

TY

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

I don't know what facts you are looking for, but clinicians are certainly justified in not entering an unsafe environment. If they want the service, they'll lock the dog up during the visit.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I agree, I feel like it is certainly reasonable to ask the patient to restrain their dog, especially a dog as territorial as the pit bull.

Most of my patients' dogs are delightful but I dread that day that I get bitten. :(

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Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

You did nothing wrong.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, Home Health, Case Management.

TYHow true! i doubt if agency will cover me if I entered home. Not to mention how extensive they bite and don't let go!!!Than God I left and agency said we got to cover! Not to mention the ft RN said oh he's harmless (I was asked by her to see him (coban wraps and wd care,) She bullied me and put me down.She upset me! and, no incident report instructed by agency!!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Did they accuse you of patient abandonment?

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

Patients have RIGHTS and they have RESPONSIBILITIES.

Home care patients have a RESPONSIBILITY to make the care environment as safe as they reasonably can for a health provider visit.

That includes things like securing firearms and pets.

More than one health care worker has been bitten by an unrestrained pet and it is not acceptable.

You were very correct to refuse to enter the premises with the animal unrestrained. Your employer should back you 100% in this matter and should make immediate contact with the patient and the provider to discuss the minimum requirements for staff to visit in the patient home.

Good luck.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Good for you!!!

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You are completely justified. I explain to my patient's that are also pet parents that their dog can tell they aren't feeling as well as normal and their dog may be feeling protective. Rather than put the dog in a situation it's better to put them in another room. When the owner knows that you are just looking out for their dog I find they usually comply. It's just all in how you word it much of the time.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU, Home Health, Case Management.

no but i was put down by ft rn who knows pt and dog.

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no but i was put down by ft rn who knows pt and dog.

I would not worry about this. If the the full time person wants to chance getting bit, so be it. However, he or she wasn't there. You were, and you made the decision, based upon what you saw that it wasn't safe, and opted not to enter. EMTs make this decision every day, why should nursing be any different?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I left a private duty case when the family would not pen the dog when I was home alone with (pediatric) client.

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