Posted by Phillipa on December 7, 2008, at 19:32:54
In reply to Re: Locked wards 'harm patients' » SLS, posted by yxibow on December 7, 2008, at 15:28:06
Wasn't the topic locked wards? Did I miss the holidays? I never myself saw a patient mistreated. I did witness patients being protected. Just an example please don't take this wrong in many instances the manic truly manic patients stripped off their clothes and that's a horrible memory to have if at home and they were to run down the street naked. Where I worked their dignity was very important. They would be asked to go put clothes on and if wouldn't then we would put them in a special room with 10 minute checks and dress them. So this spared them the embarrassment of others seeing what was going on with them. Some also can become violent not that they want to or spend so much money even at home with internet buying or long distance telephone calls in the middle of the night. With three shifts a patient that is very manic can be spared what could come to bankrupcy, or sex with many others that they normally wouldn't have. A parent can't stay awake 24 hours a day but severe manic patients can. Never in my experience as a nurse was a patient not seen by a magistrate in 72 hours and based on behavior, doctor assessment, and the judges observations kept any longer than necessary. many had no insurance we cared for them the same as those who were wealthy. My experiences with extreme manics was positive nothing felt better than to see their meds take effect and see them come down so to speak. Our locked ward was not for med adjustments just severe psychotic breaks, mania, schizophrenics who went off their meds and were of danger to self. One I remember found a dead racoon on the road and was cooking it to eat. His Mother also was a well controlled schizophrenic and recognized the need for her Son to be hospitalized. And All were happy endings. Usually during the holidays the unit was almost empty. Love Phillipa . Jay I'm truly sorry you had such a negative experience in the hospital I mean that with all my heart.
poster:Phillipa
thread:865930
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081204/msgs/867366.html