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Forum :: Ethics |
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or ab..
23 09 2011 13:50
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| Gordo |
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Joined: 22 06 2010 11:51
Posts: 52
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or abused?
Reporting 'abuse' can be done quite safely in two ways. As an anon. caller to the HCCC ( NSW only ). If you are a registered health practitioner, you may report DIRECTLY to AHPRA via the Notifiable conduct form NOTF - 00 found on the AHPRA website. It can only be printed off, completed and the Stat. Dec. signed, and posted to AHPRA in your capital city. There is no requirement whatsoever, to go via your NUM, or other admin. staff. Nobody on your ward will find out it was YOU who made the report. This can be both a good and bad thing.... good because you won't get harassed etc. bad, because anybody can report you for something you may not have really done. An investigation will be conducted by AHPRA ( all States & Territories except NSW ). In NSW, the HCCC does the investigating. Any health practitioner will be afforded full right of reply during any allegation investigation. You will probably be interviewed, and this may be quite stressful, but in the end, if you didn't do anything wrong, you won't pay any signicant penalty... if you are found guilty, you may have any one or more sanctions placed upon your registration. Really, it's enough to make you sick, just how much crap there is now in being an RN or EN. The National Law Act 2009 ( NSW ) has 16 Divisions, with over 300 sections, and then it changes format half way through, and starts counting again ! In all, it's a 100,000 word document.... and that doesn't count all the ANMC Codes on professional and ethical issues !! Before I started a recent assignment on this very issue, I had little appreciation for the difference between 'unprofessional conduct', and 'professional misconduct', and now we have 'notifiable conduct' to deal with as well.... STAY OUT OF TROUBLE.... GORDO |
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or ab..
26 05 2010 05:41
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| NU_Editor |
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Joined: 06 04 2010 10:19
Posts: 86
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or abused?
test |
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or ab..
26 05 2010 05:40
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| NU_Editor |
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Joined: 06 04 2010 10:19
Posts: 86
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or abused?
test |
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or ab..
25 05 2010 16:14
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| Markyuk |
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Joined: 25 05 2010 17:35
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or abused?
I think it is important to discuss your concerns with the patient. You would also have to assess their capacity to make decisions about the investigation. If they lack capacity, you may have to involve the Guardianship Tribunal and ACAT. Abuse and neglect are to a certain extent in the eyes of the beholder. Is the patient complicit in the 'abuse'? There may be issues around co-dependence, the patient may put up with the abuse, so that they do not have to move into a nursing home. All of these issues take careful handling and investigating before rushing in with all guns blazing. Softly, softly would be my advice. |
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or ab..
16 02 2010 08:40
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| nurseuncut |
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Joined: 16 02 2010 07:25
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or abused?
You know you have to be really certain that it is abuse before you report it. It can be very damaging to the staff member that you are reporting on. I reported abuse as a student nurse in 1st year to the NUM on the ward and my facilitator. But it was right infront of my eyes and I had to get another RN to do what the RN I was buddied with didn't do. But I have seen people report abuse which infact wasn't abuse just their interpretation without knowing all the facts and it went down a very bad path, and almost went to court as a deformation of character case. Yes as a nurse you have a duty of care to report things but before you do you need to be VERY sure it was abuse before you point the finger. |
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or ab..
16 02 2010 08:40
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| nurseuncut |
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Joined: 16 02 2010 07:25
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or abused?
In all honesty, the final decision is yours alone to make.I did report abuse,I am still going through the process,be aware tho,It can and will take it's toll.I have no real regrets about what the impact of my decision except that the person I reported to knows things about my personal life which I shared with her and now am a bit nervous. What this person did on more than one ocassion was and still is unforgivable.With this situation, it has been going on since November last year and has only just started to rear it's ugly head.It is easy for those who aren't doing it to say...you have to report it. good luck.Stay strong |
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or ab..
16 02 2010 08:40
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| nurseuncut |
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Joined: 16 02 2010 07:25
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or abused?
Is it as simple as that? People who are being abused are usually frightened and under some sort of threat by the abuser. of course we have a duty of care to report the abuse but we also have a duty of care to protect the person from further and escalating abuse because they've "told" someone. You also have to be careful of your own safety. we must never keep quiet about suspected abuse, but ensuring patient and personal safety is paramount in the process of reporting; as well as being clear that unless we actually see the abuse it remains an unsubstantiated allegation that needs investigating. |
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or ab..
16 02 2010 08:39
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| nurseuncut |
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Joined: 16 02 2010 07:25
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or abused?
If you suspect any abuse or neglect it is of course your DUTY OF CARE to report it straight away. |
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or ab..
16 02 2010 08:39
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| nurseuncut |
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Joined: 16 02 2010 07:25
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Subject :Re:What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or abused?
I guess it would depend on whether it was a staff member abusing a patient or a patient being abused by a member of their family. I've had experience with both situations and both require a lot of care ensuring that you act within the law and ensure the safety of the abused person. |
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Subject :What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or abuse..
16 02 2010 08:39
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| nurseuncut |
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Joined: 16 02 2010 07:25
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Subject :What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or abused?
What would you do if you suspect a patient is being neglected or abused? |
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