What would you do in this work situation? Drunk patient

[Nshworker]

Name changed for obvious reasons. Had a difficult situation at work today (NHS clinic). I and a male colleague work in a clinic, no other people around. Patient came in obviously drunk, slurring his words, being rude and quite aggressive. Warned my male colleague (who he had an appointment with) colleague decided to see him. Afterwards colleague said patient was drowsy, couldn’t answer his clinical questions, refused to be examined, was rude and intimidating. Colleague was upset.

Colleague checked paperwork afterwards and there was a note that patient is a long term drug addict and alcohol dependent.

Patient will be coming back and I admit to being worried as it is just me and male colleague on our own, no security. What if he gets aggressive again. Wondering if I should mention to senior manager but not sure what to say.

Any thoughts gratefully received as I feel out of my depth. Never come across this in my job before - new to this clinic & not experienced this challenging behaviour before.

There are policies OP- I work in the NHS too (historically in 3 different trusts and 4 health boards), and whether I've been a lone worker or as part of a team as I am now there are policies to cover this. Are you able to check your work intranet to see the one relevant to the patch you work in? I've also been given de-escalation training in every new nhs job I've worked in.

That aside, it's not a pleasant experience or position that you're in and I can hear that you feel vulnerable with this person (understandably so). Definitely alert your line manager now or a supervisor if your precession requires one of those, as a) they might know the policy and b more importantly) they can advise and safeguard you and your colleague in the short term.

and as Shepherdspie points out, you haven't said anything identifying so ignore the previous poster- you're in a position where you feel vulnerable and sought anonymous advice as to how to proceed... no confidentiality broken or identifiable details given as far as I can see! X

You will have a line manager on call at a community hospital who is paid to be available to you.

I agree, the internet is not where this incident needs to be discussed.

IR1 form. E-mail your manager re your concerns (don’t phone as conversations can be forgotten by manager).

Are you a nurse? I can’t believe neither of you have had to deal with drunks before.
How’ve you got time to post on here when you’re ‘rushed off your feet’?
This would have been the last place I’d look for advice when I was nursing.

Of course there is a protocol. You need to escalate this to management. Why didn't your colleague read the notes before the saw the client though?

Even though you're not lone working you need to get yourself up to speed on what to do in difficult situations. Who to call, ways to reduce risk (like checking notes prior to appointment, knowing where to sit etc).

Conflict resolution will be mandatory training. What to do when someone is aggressive will be there- it's usually e learning in most trusts so even if it's forgotten you can access it again.

I've had to deal with a few drunk patients in my time. If its not possible to examine them (and generally its not as alcohol can affect several key eye related things), I'd explain calmly and then re-book them.

Often if you ask there is a time when they are less likely to be intoxicated (e.g. morning) or have a time when they can be more easily accompanied by someone else. I would usually either give them something in writing to remind them.

Patient, calm, understanding but firm usually did the trick and I only remember having to turn someone away twice once.

Wondering if I should mention to senior manager but not sure what to say.

Just tell your manager what happened and ask them what you should do when he returns. I really don't understand the problem.

I refused to see someone a couple of months back because they were shouting and being aggressive. I calmly told them that we have a zero tolerance policy and I will send them another appointment out and I will see them with a colleague. I then called my manager and told them exactly that (and of course documented it).

The most important thing is you need to tell your manager and you (or colleague) need to document what happened.

Shepherdspieisminging I am incredulous that a person with a professional qualification would post on here looking for advice on how to deal with the intoxicated in a clinical setting.

Shepherdspieisminging Furthermore, none of them are harmless when you are trying to treat them. They’re hard work.
The documentation and arse covering required to make sure you’ve not missed anything because they’re pissed and not fully able to cooperate is no joke.

Does your trust have a Designated Patient Scheme. Where patients with challenging behaviour or risk associated can be seen somewhere with more backup. In my area we see patients in a room off of the man a and e. Yes it means travelling etc but it means we are safe.