Physical Therapist Staffing Services
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Written by admin
March 11th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
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Verbal and Physical Abuse from Patients Allowed By Mental Health Agency?
I work for a mental health agency in North Carolina and they allow for the verbal and physical abuse of their direct care staff (techs, nurses, therapists) from the patients that reside at this agency. By law, is this allowed? Is there any legal recourse (reporting to accrediting agencies JCAHO, Medicaid, Department of Human Health Services, LME, etc..) that such actions are being allowed by the administration at this agency?
Although it is "Frowned-Upon" by the agency, under confidentiality laws, mental health workers are allowed to report incidents of verbal threats and physical violence to law authorities…
Chris M
11 Mar 10 at 8:14 pm
well if you’re dealing with crazy people, some of them cant help but be violent if they feel they are in danger. its a natural instinct for them. you cant necessarily report it because they have an excuse: they’re psycho.
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Kelly
12 Mar 10 at 1:16 am
There are a lot of variables that need to be addressed before this can get a thorough answer. Are the patients committed by the court or are they there voluntarily? Are the patients committing these acts stable, or are they experiencing symptoms of their illness (ie. command hallucinations)? Reporting to accrediting agencies won’t really do much good because of the situation. If they are accredited, it means their policies meet the accrediting agency’s standards, and that these policies are being followed. If the policies are not being followed, you can report this to the agencies.
It is within your rights to file a report with the police. However, because of the situation, the patient will more than likely not be liable due to insanity. If you want to start a paper trail to support a court ordered commitment, this may be in your best interest, and in the public’s best interest. If there is a pattern or if it is a brutal attack against a staff, a court can commit the person as mentally ill and dangerous (MI&D). I hope this answers your question. Good Luck.
References :
jamie
12 Mar 10 at 1:18 am