I'm an unhappy camper

[SeaCat]

Had a patient show up on the unit. He wasn't going to be one of mine bt I got called in anyways. The patient was out like a light when he was wheeled onto the unit and transfered to the bed. The restraints were re-applied.

The Attending walked into the room, looked over the patient and ordered the restraints removed. Then and only then did he administer Narcan. When the patient didn't wake up the Attending applied a Sternal Rub. Hoo boy that did the trick.

The patient was all over the M.D. like a Monkey on a Banana Tree. We're talking all I saw was Hands and Feet as the Attending started wilting rapidly. I stepped in and things got a bit fast and furious for a minute until I got the patient locked. The patient contiinued to struggle as I gave the R.N.'s a rather impromptu introduction to and lesson on the application of Four Way Leather Restraints. (We don't usually use them on my unit even though we do have a set.) During this time we also had to deal with a slightly injured and highly indignant M.D.

By the time we had the patient restrained we had quite the crowd in the room. The Nurising Director was there as was the Rounding M.D., The Psych M.D., multiple Security Officers and two cops. The Attending wanted to rake my ass over the coals because I ahd stepped in but stopped when he got a look at me. The Nursing Director ordered that I be taken to the E.R. to have three Bites cleaned and taken care of. (Left Wrist, Right Fore Arm and right side just under the shoulder.)

I now have to undergo the Prophylaxis as the patient is tested for such lovely little things like Hep. and H.I.V. (Not to mention Rabis and Distemper.)

In other words because this person bit me I have to wait for the results of tests done on him to see what he has and if I may have been exposed.

I am not a happy camper right now. I'm sore, I'm taking several medications and I'm sure I'll hear about this tomorrow.

It's so much fun to be in the medical field.

Cat

 

[MagicaPractica]

That's a hard thing to have to wait for.

 

[ms.read]

Hugs and understanding sent your way. I hope and pray you get the results that you want!

 

[Boxlicker101]

Why should the MD be mad at you? He was the one who pulled the bonehead move. Unless he is one of those who believes he is like God, except that God sometimes makes mistakes.

 

[TE999]

Too bad it wasn't that Attending Physician that got bit...I mean removing restraints on a violent patient before tranquilizing them for treatment? What a moron.

Let's hope all your tests are negative.

 

[jomar]

Seems like the attending MD should be raked over some coals.

Hope it goes well.

 

[rgraham666]

I hope everything turns out fine, Cat.

 

[DesertPirate]

Prayers for negative tests.

 

[sadangel]

Sorry this happened Cat. Doctor sounds like a real dunce. (I am using very nice words

 

[Handley_Page]

would this be a suitable case to sue the Attending twit ?

Sympathy, Cat. Fingers crossed.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

There are legions of MDs with small brains and large egos.

Working at a psych hospital, I controlled the ER/Admissions and the MDs contolled the wards. We shared seclusion rooms. If a patient in the ER/Admission office required seclusion I put them there and the nurses/techs had to monitor them. They didnt like it, but that was too effing bad.

Oftentimes the patient's HMO doc would refuse authorization for admission and refuse to discharge/release the patient, so they had to go somewhere. Our psychiatrists didnt want free patients, but they couldnt leave, so I put them in seclusion, which pissed off the staff.

 

[SeaCat]

Well I was allowed to work yesterday but I wasn't allowed to deal with patients. I got to sit at the desk and play Ward Clerk. I hated that, I prefer to work with the patients.

Halfway through my shift I was called to the bosses office and given the once over by my boss and the Command Team. (C.E.O., C.N.O. and Legal Department.) It seems the M.D. had filed a complaint against me. He claimed the entire incident including his injuries had resulted from my negligence. Thankfully I was backed up by multiple Incident Reports that showed I had not been involved in the decision to remove the restraints and had only responded afterwards.

So far things are looking good. The patients past medical records have been gone over and there are no records of infectious diseases including but not limited to H.I.V. and Hepatitus. (He had his last screening less than a month ago.) The bites aren't inflamed and I'm not reacting yet to either the Anti-biotics or the Anti-Virals. (I do however expect to have a good case of the shits fairly soon.)

Today I'm sore and a bit stiff but that could be from my ride last night as well. The bites still look good. Thankfully he didn't take any chunks out of me. I'll have some interesting scars for a short while but that's it. We'll see what the test results show.

Cat

 

[DesertPirate]

I think you might have a good case for reckless endangerment against the MD. Even if you don't, have someone mention it in his hearing so you can see his face. (Yes I am somewhat vindictive).

 

[jomar]

Md's rep is toast with the line staff even if you don't file a complaint.

 

[Azshade]

/sympathy from a mental health nurse.

I mostly work in a forensic psychiatry ward, but I do some shifts in alzheimers / dementia ward. Believe it or not the dementia ward is worse. At least in forensic they are known to be dangerous and the important ones are sedated when 'off'. In the dementia ward, they work to titrate the drug levels to find a happy medium between sedation and alertness. That's fine in practice, but when they get it wrong you're dealing with potentially violent people your entire shift (esp the korsakoff patients)

Had one patient pull a chair out of the cement ground that was bolted to it. The bolts were about 5cm (2inches) long. That type of rage / strength scares me, especially in someone that's 'off' and angry.

 

[TE999]

That arrogant son-of-a-bitch! Trying to blame you for his fuck-up. They get a Med degree and suddenly they're Christ Almighty. He needs his licence to practice medicine revoked.

 

[R. Richard]

In my professional opinion, the entire problem is based in a mis-diagnosis by the attending MD. The procedure that was clearly needed was a cephalectomy. Had a cephalectomy been immediately performed on the patient, the entire problem wouldn't have ocurred.

[I'm not licensed to practice medicine, but I have been forensic surgeon since my teenage days in the South Central. Down there, the patient also has a scalpel.]

 

[MagicaPractica]

for positive news.

 

[Dianthus]

for positive news.

ditto. Hang in there, Cat.

 

[SeaCat]

Met with the M.D.'s today. So far the tests on both the patient and myself are coming back negative for everything.

The Hep.-C is a true negative so I can breath a bt easier on that one as well as the T.B.

Prelim testing for H.I.V. is also negative. (Still have to wait a bit for a true negative on this one but I'm feeling more confident.)

I'm still pushing for Rabies Testing on the patient but the C.E.O. while saying he understands my position doesn't think the state will allow it. (My boss doesn't think the humor is appropriate.)

Cat

 

[Dianthus]

Met with the M.D.'s today. So far the tests on both the patient and myself are coming back negative for everything.

The Hep.-C is a true negative so I can breath a bt easier on that one as well as the T.B.

Prelim testing for H.I.V. is also negative. (Still have to wait a bit for a true negative on this one but I'm feeling more confident.)

I'm still pushing for Rabies Testing on the patient but the C.E.O. while saying he understands my position doesn't think the state will allow it. (My boss doesn't think the humor is appropriate.)

Cat

Some good news, Cat. I'm relieved for you.

And, I think the only appropriate response to your boss is 'who said I was joking?'.

 

[rgraham666]

That's good news, Cat.

 

[R. Richard]

Keep the good news coming!

 

[DesertPirate]

Some good news, Cat. I'm relieved for you.

And, I think the only appropriate response to your boss is 'who said I was joking?'.

How true!