Category: Mental hospitals
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It isn’t just violence pt II.
More on my point that it isn’t just patient violence – per se – that ruins the job. There are heaps of ‘things’ (*a) that some patients do that are dangerous, but short of violence. Things that we nurses have to stop them from doing, usually coercively. Well, I suppose I must concede we used…
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How it used to be Pt 1. Giving an injection to a refusing patient.
Once upon a time, it was quite common for larger male staff to get a phone call early in the shift. As I remember, it was commoner on afternoons. Responsible, experienced shift leaders were already thinking about what kind of shift they’d be handing on to the night staff. It would go along these lines.…
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Refocusing priorities… To treat Pt 3
Once, I came on for a night shift. At handover we learned how a patient with a long hx of suicide attempts had nearly succeeded earlier that day. She was both short and stick thin.
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Refocusing priorities… To treat Pt 2
Let’s start with depression. One of the worst cases of depression I saw was a poor man who, unknowingly, had been suffering a MDE for perhaps a year. His relationship had broken down, over time he’d retreated to a bedroom. The ex wanted him to move out so they could get on with their life.…
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Refocusing priorities. Treat. Prevent. Risk. To treat – Pt 1
The first and foremost duty of mhs is to treat the ill patient so he gets better. (*a) What does ‘better’ mean, though? Good question. Because doctors, nurses and psychotherapists should be able to justify the treatment they’re offering (or forcing on) the patient. They should know what it is intended to achieve, what the…
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Cockeyed complaints system
At a regular community team morning meeting, where the day’s jobs are assigned, a female patient’s name came up. She was on a downward slide and thus needed a visit to check her mental state. NB there are heaven knows how many patients ‘under’ a community team but don’t have an assigned CPN or CCO.…