QAPI Perspective
Policy/Procedure: Policies and procedures need to be up-to-date and meet current guidelines.
Implementation: Educate at orientation, and periodically, all staff regarding the required number of care givers when approaching residents. Educate management regarding staffing needs specific to resident acuity and behaviors.
Audit: Facility and senior management must evaluate staffing levels to ensure they meet resident needs. The facility should conduct internal and external audits regarding staff procedures and interaction with residents for safety.
A ‘psychopathic’ patient on an ‘understaffed’ UK hospital ward tried to take a terrified nurse hostage by holding a broken CD shard to her throat. The attacker “saw the opportunity” to grab the woman from behind at the maximum security facility and tried to drag her into his room, according to witnesses. The man, who has a criminal record for serious violence and was described as having a “fixation” on weapons, was only stopped when a fellow patient tackled him. A source with knowledge of the situation claimed the man had been overheard commenting on low staffing levels and saying”it would be easy” to take hostages. The nurse was left with grazes and bruises, and has since been on sick leave.
