Subaqua Sternal Rubs

GruntDoc has an interesting post about ever-present violence in Emergency Departments across the nation. Reminded me about the time when I was teching in an ED and had to physically fight with drunk/overtly violent patients in order to get them "4-pointed" (Leather restraints on all 4 extremities, as well as a chest strap), for their safety, as well as the staff's safety.

But safety at my hospital was never a big priority. Although treating over 50,000 patients a year, and usually having all 50 exam rooms full on days and evenings, most of the time there was not a single security guard assigned to the ED. They did have one for overnights, but he was about 80, and really didn't scare anyone. Most of the time just about anyone could walk right in, because the Triage Nurse was the one who controlled the button to open the automatic doors, but he/she was usually too busy determining if the patients who walked in actually had an emergency or not, that he/she just hit the button whenever anyone asked, not bothering to inquire their business or check whether the person that they were claiming to visit was actually in the ED. And sometimes family members can be just as dangerous as patients. Like the father that was sure that his son was having a heart attack, and verged on physical violence directed toward me, because he didn't things were happening fast enough. (Final Dx: Hyperventilation/Anxiety, no doubt caused by his father.)

All hospitals, and my hospital in particular, need to recognize the preponderance for violence in the ED, and appropriately staff security, as well as institute visitor access protocols for the safety of the ED staff working.

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