Most health care providers begin their careers because they intend to make a positive impact on the lives of others. They imagine in bringing healing to people. Only a few of them are aware of or understand the inherent dangers that include their jobs. There are situations which are just not covered within the textbooks or classrooms.
The International Association of Healthcare Security and Safety states that roughly two thirds of all hospitals are situated in areas which are rated as high crime areas. So even before they step foot into the hospital, they’re exposed to a high risk population. Attending to and from their vehicles may be precarious, especially since so many work late into the night.
The very nature of their work means they’re around individuals with higher ratios of alcohol and drug abuse. Assaults, stabbings, and shootings will not be unusual occurrences contained in the hospital. Surprisingly, these attacks don’t at all times come from the patients. Low staffing rations, increased work loads and hours result in frayed nerves and flaring tempers from co-workers.
The American Nursing Association reports the next statistics:
- The healthcare sector leads all other industries, with 45% of all nonfatal assaults against staff leading to lost work days within the US.
- From 1993 to 1999 roughly 765,000 assaults occurred against healthcare staff leading to days away from work
- From 2003 to 2009, 8 registered nurses were FATALLY injured at work
– 4 RNs received gunshot wounds (RNs) resulting in their death
– 4 RNs received other fatal injuries
– 8 of 8 RNs were working in private healthcare facilities (not state or local government)
– 8 of 8 RNs were 35-54 years of age
- In 2009 there have been 2,050 assaults and violent acts reported by RNs requiring a mean of 4 days away from work
- Of the two,050 NONFATAL assaults and violent acts:
– 1,830 were inflicted with injuries by patients or residents
– 80 were inflicted by visitors or people aside from patients
– 520 RNs were hit, kicked, or beaten
– 130 RNs were squeezed, pinched or scratched requiring days away from work
– 30 RNs were bitten
- In 2009, the Emergency Nurses Association reported that greater than 50% of emergency center (EC) nurses had experienced violence by patients on the job and 25% of EC nurses had experienced 20 or more violent incidents up to now three years.
While hospitals are putting procedures in place to handle rage and violence with visible security personnel, security cameras and equipment, more must be done. Some are offering classes which teach nurses basic self-defense techniques.
There’s also a rise within the variety of health care staff who carry non lethal self defense weapons. If hospital policy allows, a stun gun is a superb choice to have contained in the hospital. They’ll deter a situation or disable an attacker long enough for the employee to get away or get help. Only the person with whom the stun gun is making contact can be affected, so there isn’t any probability of an innocent bystander getting hurt.
For self defense outside of the hospital constructing, the brand new Mace pepper spray gun is a superb option. It has a pulsating strobe light which might disorient any potential attacker. It also accommodates seven bursts of maximum strength Mace with a variety of 25 feet. The results of pepper spray can last from 10 to 45 minutes. While it’s non lethal, the bad guy may run into the emergency room since it causes your eyes to involuntarily swell shut and leaves you gasping for air.
Discover what your hospital’s policies are. In the event that they can help you carry self defense weapons then accomplish that. Healthcare staff are within the career to heal – to not get hurt.
Stay protected!