re: ER Doc says assaults against doctors and medical pros on the rise

I've been working in an ER for almost two years, and I worked inpatient psych for 7 years before that. I'd agree with the provider in the OP, assaults against medical professionals are on the rise. In the past, my employer has discouraged myself and many of my coworkers from pressing charges, but that mindset is rapidly changing since that poor nurse from Baton Rouge died. Personally, I think if someone is in a true psychotic state due to serious mental illness, charges shouldn't be pressed. However, if drugs or alcohol are involved, or the patient is just an a-hole, then straight to jail.

Lack of security personnel is astounding at some places. And those you do have a re limited by their own age and size or hospital policy.

Psych patients are a major factor. My place routinely keeps them 36-100 hours!!! There just are no inpatient beds. Emergency detention orders are obtained and then expire all while waiting for a bed. Want to escalate a psych patient? Lock them in a room for 72 hours. EVERY ONE of those frickers smoke. That is usually where it goes downhill. The denial of a smoke break. Which for a schizophrenic could be every hour on the hour.

The opiate crisis has made pain as a vital sign obsolete. Which pisses people off. You are essentially telling a junkie that “the tit ran dry”. This is good but it needs to be done with security nearby or accompanying.

The restaurant mentality or hotel mentality of most hospitals nurtures this behavior. All while being expected to do more with less. Now Medicare Medicaid are basing reimbursement on satisfaction scores to an extent. Nothing is being done to improve matters.

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Lack of security personnel is astounding at some places.

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The cost of security cuts into the bottom line.

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Friendly reminder that attacking hospital staff, especially doctors and nurses is considered a federal offense.

Plan accordingly, junkies.

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I've told more than 1 angry patient, "you walked in here on your own, do that and you'll be carried out", when they balled up a fist at someone in the room.

Who are they gonna tell/complain to? If they want any treatment whatever they'll settle their arse back down and stop acting a fool.

I’m just glad our hospital security are actually armed with more than pepper spray. Our security has guns. Our security director used to work for the FBI.

But you already know that in many hospitals....hospital security is not even armed with guns. I can remember when I worked at OLOL and the whole DTL serial killings were going on and all the nurses scared. I asked for security to escort me to my car one night....a tiny very much pregnant woman in a security uniform showed up...with just a baton and pepper spray to protect us.

Great thing about UHC was there were ALWAYS armed LPSO on staff. Every psych was wand for weapons before walking thru those doors. Ive seen a many of patients tased for acting an arse. It was awesome!!!!

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Probably because all doctors do is “tests” to run the bill up instead of helping people

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There are plenty of problems in the medical arena. But the people most likely attacking doctors aren't there seeking a solution for a medical problem. They're there to maintain their high.

In other words, the problem here is close enough to exclusively being drug seekers.

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Where does grabbing a nurses arse fall in this?

Asking for a friend

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Social fabric of the country has been ripped apart. The crude and profane have become mainstream and it's reflected in the lives of the citizens.

"My feelings are always valid" is a lie that's taken the country by storm.