18 hours ago · Buddle Findlay. New Zealand July 30 2013. A nurse has been found guilty of professional misconduct for slapping a patient, and for compromising the health and safety of the patient by failing to ... >> Go To The Portal
Studies have shown that many incidents of violence against nurses are not reported. One of the reasons might be that nurses accept violent behavior as part of the patient’s problem “He couldn’t help it,” “She was drunk”.
When a nurse is injured in an assault, the incident should be managed as for any other work-related injury as required under laws dealing with health and safety in the workplace. It should be reported and investigated, and the nurse must be provided with the necessary treatment, including trauma counseling if required.
There are several reports of nurses suffering post-traumatic stress syndrome after an attack and being unable to return to work. One nurse with over 30 years of experience in ER had suffered many attacks, but after having been strangled with her stethoscope, she felt that to keep herself safe, her only choice was to end her career.
Debbie Aird's behaviour was "particularly offensive" as she was working with vulnerable aged people and it was "totally unacceptable" for a nurse to slap a patient in the face, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal has found.
The assault occurred in 2017 at the Boorowa Multipurpose Hospital southwest of Sydney. In 2018, a magistrate at Cootamundra Local Court rejected her claim of self-defence and found her guilty of assault, but did not record a conviction and placed her on a six-month good behaviour bond.
2. Take action after an assault. If you have been assaulted, remove yourself to a safe area and ask a co-worker to stand in for you.
Studies have shown that many incidents of violence against nurses are not reported. One of the reasons might be that nurses accept violent behavior as part of the patient’s problem “He couldn’t help it,” “She was drunk”.
The Emergency Nurses Association recognizes violence against nurses as a serious occupational risk which requires action by employers, law enforcement, and the community.
“Police say a patient nearly tore off a nurse ’s ear and attempted to gouge out her eye at Pembroke Hospital ove r the weekend.”#N#– Patriot Ledger. March 7, 2016 (USA)
The American Nurses Association is taking a firm stance on violence against nurses and, in July 2015, issued a policy statement Incivility, Bullying, and Workplace Violence. In it, the ANA advocates the development of evidence-based strategies to prevent and take action to lessen the effects of incivility, bullying, and workplace violence to promote the health, safety, and wellness of registered nurses and other health care workers.
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.
It occurs most commonly in Emergency Departments and at long-term care facilities , and with patients who are mentally unstable or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.