What do you do when a patient hits you?
Call for security back-up or police assistance as necessary. Report the assault to your supervisor as well as to your union. This can initially be done verbally, but you should follow up with written reports. Exercise your civil right of reporting the incident to the police.
Do nurses get punched?
The violence extends beyond the U.S. Recently, a Canadian nurse was punched repeatedly by a man because his wife received the COVID vaccine without his knowledge. According to the American Nurses Association, 1 out of 4 nurses is assaulted on the job.
What happens when a patient punches a nurse?
1 All 50 states address physical assault as a criminal violation and 32 make physical assaults against nurses a felony-a serious criminal offense meriting over 1 year in jail or prison as a penalty. (The remaining states address assault but may not specify assault against nurses or uniformed healthcare workers.)
Can nurses refuse rude patients?
Nurses can make patients aware, however, when their behaviour has become unacceptable or potentially harmful to themselves, or to other staff or patients. The only circumstances in which a nurse may refuse to care for a patient are: When it is believed that the nurse in question lacks the competence to provide care.
How do NHS deal with aggressive patients?
Dealing with an aggressive patient takes care, judgement and self-control.
- Remain calm, listen to what they are saying, ask open-ended questions.
- Reassure them and acknowledge their grievances.
- Provide them with an opportunity to explain what has angered them.
- Maintain eye contact, but not prolonged.
Is it illegal to hit a healthcare worker?
Under current California law, an assault or battery against a physician or nurse rendering emergency medical care outside of a hospital, clinic or healthcare facility is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, one year of jail time or both.