Hi Everyone,

The facility I work in recently Baker Acted a resident. The resident hit the Administrator. She was sent out and returned due to insuffient paperwork. Than the DON was hit by this resident. After when the powers to be found out how to baker act a resident  the woman was sent out. The nurses on this particular unit had stated to the supervisors that this resident is a volcano waiting to erupt. As the nursing staff we get cussed at and hit and nothing happens. But when the Adminstrator or the DON get a combative resident hit them they baker act. That's the pot calling the kettle black.

That's the truth. In Florida the Doc has to be made aware of behavior and such. The doc we have is pretty good. Administration will never listen. When they do it will be a shock. But it comes down to a doctor's order and phoning him and getting the ok. Than the process starts rolling. The police have to come and pick up the person and drive them to the E,D. The hospital is notified. It's a lengthy process. I've seen in one case that the police weren't a help at all.

I worked at a facility that this guy kept beating us up and the DON refused to do anything.  One day he pulled his pocket knife on a couple of nurses and one said he was calling the cops and the DON forbid him too. He walked over and picked up the phone and called, he was taken out of the facility by the police. I think it's amazing the crap we have to take, nurses don't seem to have any rights these days.

As far as I know, the Baker Act, is Florida's involuntary commitment law.  It wasn't just for SNF's it was also for any mentally imbalanced person (could be walking along the street), that law enforcement or medical authorities thought was a danger to himself/ others.  It involves a judge and being committed involuntarily.  Florida also has the 'myers act' which is basically the same but involves substance abuse.   Most states have some version of this law, and similar procedures just called different things.  Pt usually winds up in a locked psych facility until they are they are deemed stable (used to be when lots of haldol was on board!). 

Thanx Deb and Kitty- I have never heard of such a law, but it sounds like ALL states should have this available.

In the state of TN and Ga I know if you are in LTC if the pt poses a threat to self or others they send them to us at the mental facility and it is done via CON/CRT. 

Good school. Seen your profile. HMC has changed an awful lot.