New York law makes assaulting a nurse in a betrayal

New York law assaulting a nurse treason for nurses in the State of New York, November 1 represented a victory for safety at work. Was the day that came into force, violence against nurses Act making it an offence to assault the LPN or RN service.

For many nurses, health at home, including seek violent or abusive patients and carers is considered part of their plight.The New York State Senate passed legislation in January, noting that, according to the Department of Justice of the United States, almost 500,000 nurses converted each year in the victims of violent crimes instead of trabajo.Más commonly reported violence include spitting, biting, hitting and push.

?Violence in the workplace for nurses is very subestimada.Enfermeras were afraid to submit or not sure if what was happening to them was classified as violence. ..., ? says Erin Silk, Deputy Director of communications of the Association of nurses in New York State, has been working to harmonise legislation with interest since 2008.

With the Act of violence against nurses, nurses join groups already protected police, firefighters and emergency responders. A physical attack against an RN or LPN guard is an offence serious class D, subject to a maximum of seven years in prison.

Nurses have commented that they feel empowered to do so by law, in accordance with silk.

?We had [news about legislation] published on our Facebook page and we received many comments ?, said. ?I than they?re excited that someone has taken notice. ?

Added blow

It is hoped that this Bill will be prevent acts of violence against the the approximately 60 and three ACE at Winthrop University Hospital Home Health Agency, said Ana Calvo, RN, BSN, MPS, agency?s Manager and director of patient services.

Bald says, to rent, nurses learn to abandon any House feel uncomfortable or insecure situation and call immediately to his manager.Nassau County Police also gives Winthrop?s providers training in how to identify and defuse potentially violent situations.?We serve certain geographical areas have been identified as high risk due to the high crime rates, ? Calvo said. ?Nurses, therapists and home health aides may ask ? ? escorts service security guards accompany them to those areas. ?

Before violence against nurses Act entered into force, says the bald was difficult administratively and ethically to refuse treatment, even in light of security issues clear. ?In my personal opinion, I think we will be more comfortable in the provision of service in cases where we feel was threatened staff; where before, we?d always put patients? rights first, says ? Calvo.

Bald says that in spite of the above safeguards for dreadful providers, security remains a problem.Winthrop, she says, makes an average of 3,000 nurse visits each month to all households in Nassau County.?We?ve had staff that has been bitten, smells... and we?ve walked in situations of potential sexual harassment, said Calvo ?. ?But us haven?t had who wanted to bring charges against the paciente.Me don?t know if will be change. ?

Do you now what?

Based on the policy of each facility?s, nurses or their administrators should call implementation Act when there are episodes of violence at work, says Eileen Avery, RN, MS, associate director of education practice and research in the NYSNA.?NYSNA is working to educate nurses, as well as management, on how to proceed so that we are proactive, rather than reactive, in these situations, ?, Avery, said.

The Act applies to physical aggression, which includes be spitting sobre, chopped, beaten or pushed.Does not include aggression verbal.Enfermeras can bring charges against anyone, including patients who are delusional or mentally ill.Bill, Avery explains, covers the basic right to press charges felonía.Los courts have from there.

Avery said nurse management also should take this opportunity to update the policies on violence and ensure that their nurses understand these policies.

Spread the word

NYSNA is working on a promotional campaign on the law for suppliers of the health care and the public. includes press releases and posters for installations warning readers assaulting a nurse is a felony.

Roger l. Noyes, director of communications for the Home Care Association of the State of New York, said that the almost 400-member association is compatible with the law and recognises the need to provide this protection for nurses. ?One what we do in the next few weeks is to ensure that our membership is informed about the law and try and get some feedback about them in terms of what they think that this means for them, Noyes, ? says. ?We?ll will also facilitate our own recommendations in the area. ?

?We can now be empowered to focus on the safety of personnel, while respecting the rights of patients? care, said Calvo ?. ?The public should be aware that nurses should not be abused physically only because they are nurses They?re human beings and we all need to be treated humanely. ?

Lisette Hilton is a writer independiente.Enviar letters to editorNY@nursingspectrum.com or comment below.

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