Pursuing Criminal Charges Against Patients who are Reported as Having Assaulted Healthcare Professionals:...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Practice
• Forensic Psychiatry

Background:

• Workplace violence against nurses in psychiatric settings is a significant concern.
• Previous incidents prompted a review of legal and support mechanisms for nurses facing patient threats.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the procedures for criminally charging patients who threaten healthcare workers.
• To identify and disseminate available support resources for nurses in such situations.
• To provide a framework for other healthcare organizations to manage similar incidents.

Main Methods:

• A panel presentation was organized for an inter-professional team.
• Key insights were gathered from diverse stakeholders including law enforcement, nursing staff, management, psychiatry, bioethics, legal counsel, and employee relations.

Main Results:

• The panel provided a comprehensive overview of the criminal charging process for patients.
• Information on available support systems for nurses was collated and shared.
• Lessons learned from a specific case in Toronto were documented.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare organizations need clear protocols for addressing patient-initiated threats and violence.
• Inter-professional collaboration is crucial for effectively managing and supporting staff in these challenging situations.
• Disseminating best practices can enhance safety and legal recourse for nurses in psychiatric care.