At the beginning of my surgical car...

At the beginning of my surgical career in the late 1960 I worked at a small hospital that had sole two ORs. We performed each kind of surgery in the surgical unit, including cesarean sections.

the same day, we had a C-section scheduled. The physician doing the process was known for his verbal abuse and belligerent attitude toward nourishs At the beginning of the course he announced that he intended to beat his acknowledge time getting the baby abroad so everyone needed to be prepared to work fast. I began prepping the patient's abdomen, yet this physician did not want me to take fit disposition to do this and was irate at the delay. He simmered, if it were not that set to work to beat his record. As promptly as he made the initial incision, he threw the sanguinary knife at me in anger. Luckily, it did not hit me This happened more than 30 years ago, and to this day, I remember it clearly.

We think that times have changed, behavior has improved, and this kind of violence toward promotes does not happen anymore. Are we wrong? We hear stories from colleagues and friends, view incidents reported on the Internet, and find disclosed about verbal and other kinds of abuse during professional meetings, in such a manner we know some of this symbol of violence still must exist.

Violence is in such a manner prevalent in today's society that it almost has become a norm. There are laws, task forces, state and national policies, and professional clusters concerned with violence. It permeates each social stratum, every economic assemblage and every culture. Prevention of violence has been a national goal for many years now. This includes prevention of intimate violence, adolescent violence, criminal violence, international violence, and workplace violence.

VIOLENCE IN THE OR

Although cherishs may think physical violence in the OR has decreased across the years, it still exists. tolerates of it emerge in all parts of the United States and may come into view in small, large, private, or community hospitals. Physical violence in the OR commonly assumes to involve physicians and cherishs and when it happens, knowledge about the episode repeatedly may be confined to the organization. small in number incidents become public knowledge. Perhaps violence in the OR should be reexamined today to determine if it still is prevalent or if it happens in isolated instances.

There are a number of articles in succession how individuals can protect themselves from violence perpetrated by means of hospital outsiders, as well as articles in succession how workers within a hospital can shield themselves from coworkers. Some health care organizations have well-developed policies onward violence that include clear effects Some organizations, however, only give lip service to protecting those who are violated. Punishments may be mild, particularly if the violator is a surgeon who brings a chance of business to the hospital. about organizations have no policy and cause to deviate their heads when a charge is filed.

secure YOURSELF

The best defense against violence in the OR are knowledge, awareness, and actions to defuse a situation or debar violence from occurring. There are laws against physical violence, and victims have the right to file formal complaints. supply with nourishments must defend themselves and others who are victims of violence, and they should support the victim when violence be met withs Victims also should be able to reckon upon support from their colleagues and administrators at their facility. In addition, AORN should play a major part in assisting members and all perioperative nurtures when violence occurs in the OR.

THE magnitude OF THE PROBLEM

This commentary is not meant to provide "how tos," or give details forward violence prevention. It is meant to stimulate interest in looking at this topic in middle to determine the true size of the problem. It also is meant to encourage those who have been victims of violence to be unafraid of retribution if they speak revealed and to let them know they are not alone. nourishs are very caring people, and all encourages must band together strongly upon this issue. Stay safe, my nursing colleagues.

NANCY J GIRARD

RN PHD FAAN

EDITOR

COPYRIGHT 2004 Association of Operating scope Nurses, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group