As nurses, our job is to nurture and heal our patients anyway we can. As medical professionals, and caregivers for our patients, abuse is something that’s hard to imagine.
If you are treating a patient who shows signs of having been abused by a parent, family member, domestic partner, or a worker in a long-term care facility, reporting it isn’t just the ethical thing to do: you also have a legal obligation. Abuse can be physical, verbal, or psychological.
Here’s what you need to know about the signs of abuse, and what you need to do to report it.
Abuse Takes Many Forms
When people think of abuse, they often think of physical abuse. However, abuse can take many forms, all of which are psychologically devastating for the victims. Here are some of the most common types of abuse, and the signs that this abuse is happening. While children and the elderly are at increased risk of abuse by those around them, adults can also be victims of domestic abuse.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is defined as the use of physical force in a way that causes pain or injury. Striking, hitting, pushing, shoving, slapping, or shaking someone can qualify as physical abuse. Things like inappropriate use of drugs, force feeding, or even reckless driving can also be forms of physical abuse.
Some of the signs that someone may be a victim of physical abuse include:
Along with physical signs of abuse, there are also behavioral indicators:
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is any forced or nonconsensual sexual activity of any kind. Physical indicators of sexual abuse, particularly in minors, include:
As with physical abuse, there are also behavioral indicators, some of which are subtle.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse can be subtle, and difficult for medical professionals to recognize and identify. It is the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal assaults, threats, intimidation, and other non-physical means. It can have lasting effects on a person’s self-esteem and mental health.
There are a few physical indicators that can point toward emotional abuse, despite its primarily non-physical nature:
Behavioral indicators include:
Neglect
Neglect is also a form of abuse, especially when children or the elderly are the victims. Unfortunately, neglect of elders is frighteningly common in nursing homes. Some of the physical signs of ongoing neglect in a child or senior include:
Some of the behavioral indicators that neglect is taking place include:
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is a form of abuse that’s often carried out against geriatric patients. It’s probably the least well-known form of abuse, but it’s frighteningly common, and it’s something that you, as a nurse, can report to the proper authorities.
Signs of probable financial abuse include:
Your Legal Obligations
If you have evidence that a patient is the victim of abuse, you must report it. While state laws vary, you most likely have a legal obligation to do so.
If a child is being abused, you should contact your local Child Protection Services. If a person between 18 and 22 is mentally disabled, they are still considered a child, and so contacting CPS is still appropriate.
If you suspect elderly abuse, you may be subject to specific laws in your state. In New Hampshire, for example, elderly abuse is covered under the Adult Protection Law. If you have reason to believe that a geriatric patient is being subject to abuse or neglect, you must contact the Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services.
If you’re not sure where to report elderly abuse, look for specific regulations and agencies in your state of residence. Similar state-level regulations also govern reporting abuse of a disabled person.
If you suspect domestic violence, serious injuries like burns or gunshot wounds should be reported to the police. A safety plan should be discussed with the patient and documented.
Helping Patients Who May Be Abuse Victims
While specific laws and regulations vary from state to state, almost all US states require nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to report suspected abuse. Not only is it the ethical thing to do, but it may also be a legal requirement. Never hesitate to say something to the appropriate authorities if you suspect that one of your patients has been the victim of abuse.
You can connect with Martin Chitwood by visiting his official website for more information, or via social on Linkedin, Facebook or Twitter page.
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