Protecting medical staff from attacks from patients' relatives

Social networks have been abuzz in recent days over a clip of a patient's family attacking a male nurse at the Intensive Care and Anti-Poison Department, Nam Dinh General Hospital.

Dr. Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management ( Ministry of Health ), said that the Department has received a preliminary report from the Nam Dinh Department of Health regarding this incident.

Earlier, on the morning of May 4, the male nurse took the patient with severe symptoms to the Intensive Care Unit - Poison Control. The patient had been treated at the hospital for the previous 10 days, then showed signs of worsening and was taken to the Intensive Care Unit - Poison Control. There, due to a previous conflict, the patient's family members repeatedly punched the male nurse in the head and face.

A patient's family member repeatedly punched a male nurse in the head and face at Nam Dinh General Hospital. (Photo cut from clip)

The case is being investigated and clarified by Nam Dinh Provincial Police. However, the Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management affirmed: "Regardless of the reason, assaulting medical staff is unacceptable."

This is the second case of violence against medical staff in 10 days, following the incident at Thanh Ba District Medical Center (Phu Tho). At that time, a patient in anaphylactic shock was being treated, the patient's family members rolled around screaming, cursing, obstructing the emergency work and attacking a male nurse.

"Immediately after the incidents, we issued a document directing rectification throughout the industry, requiring the Departments of Health to immediately work with the Police to ensure security and protect medical staff while performing their rescue duties. The Phu Tho Department of Health has coordinated with the investigation agency, and this morning (May 7), we have received a preliminary report from the Phu Tho Provincial Police. Although the behavior has not reached the level of criminal prosecution, the Phu Tho Provincial Police Investigation Agency has proposed to issue a decision to impose administrative sanctions in accordance with regulations," shared the Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management.

Dr. Ha Anh Duc.

According to Dr. Ha Anh Duc, assaults on medical staff have occurred for many years, with both objective and subjective causes. The medical examination and treatment sector is inherently under a lot of pressure, with about 200 million medical examinations and treatments each year, an average of several hundred thousand per day. Meanwhile, the workforce in the sector has not been able to meet the demand. There are hospitals with a lot of patients, and patients want to be examined quickly and thoroughly, but many times the medical facilities cannot keep up. The large number of patients creates heavy pressure. In some situations, medical staff may not have responded well.

In addition, the issue of hospital fees is also a stressful factor for patients' families. The Law on Medical Examination and Treatment has specific regulations on paying hospital fees. However, in many cases where patients are in difficulty, hospitals with Social Work Departments will take on the task of connecting and mobilizing donors to support. In addition, Decree 60 on financial autonomy allows the establishment of a Patient Support Fund in special cases such as patients who are unable to pay or unfortunately die.

To address this issue, the Ministry of Health has issued many regulations related to professional ethics and conduct in the medical environment, from laws, decrees, circulars to internal regulations. The goal is to build a patient-centered model. Patients are respected, examined and treated. "However, to achieve that, with the current pressures, we also hope to be understood and shared to ensure effective medical examination and treatment activities," Dr. Ha Anh Duc frankly shared.

A male nurse at Thanh Ba Medical Center (Phu Tho) was kicked in the stomach by a patient's family member.

He also said that since 2014, the Ministry of Health has signed a coordination regulation with the Ministry of Public Security. This includes content related to ensuring security and order at medical facilities. The Ministry also requires hospital directors to strengthen the protection corridors in emergency and intensive care areas. This is where tense situations often occur. At the same time, the Ministry will continue to report and advise the Government, or within the authority of the Minister, to issue specific policies to protect medical staff.

The next goal is to minimize unnecessary pressure on both medical staff and patients. To do so, a system of synchronous solutions is needed. First, the reception process at medical facilities needs to be more professional to reduce initial stress. Second, medical staff need to be trained in handling situations. Third, support from authorities must be timely and effective.

"All policies and solutions must be patient-centered. Regarding financial mechanisms, units need to continue to review and adjust to create transparency and reduce barriers for patients," said the Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/y-te/bao-ve-nhan-vien-y-te-truoc-su-tan-cong-tu-nguoi-nha-benh-nhan-i767569/