In: Nursing
The ED (ER) physicians in your hospital have recently suffered an increase of injuries from assaultive patients and family members. One doctor had to be hospitalized with head injuries after the most recent assault. Upon interview, co-workers inform you the security guard in the ED has been less visible of late. They have complained to the ED managers, to no avail. Create a brief plan for a root cause analysis of this latest incident and an injury prevention plan.
ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS
Background: ED was crowded and physicians was busy taking care of the patients. Suddenly a patient started shouting and become assaultive.The physician who examined that patient started to calm the patient but it won't works.Other physicians present there also joined the team and tried to make the patient calm. Patient relatives rushed inside of the emergency department and started to make noise and physical assault to the health care workers.
Security guard was less visible and didn't get any help at that time.ED was not adequately staffed to manage a crisis situation like this. Physicians got injured and one doctor got admitted due to head injuries during severe assault.
Injury prevention methods :