Medic hurt in unconcious attack
A MEDIC working in Doncaster Royal Infirmary's operating theatre had to take time off work after being "attacked" - by an unconscious patient.
The unfortunate health worker, who was hit in the chest in what bosses at the hospital regard as a freak accident, needed time off work because of the seriousness of the injuries, a new hospital report reveals.
The patient, who had just undergone surgery, was beginning to come round from the effects of a general anaesthetic when the accident occurred.
The injury is one of a number which have been recorded as an assault on staff - even though the patient had no idea what was happening.
A Doncaster Royal Infirmary spokesman said: "This sort of incident happens very rarely. Patients can react very differently when coming round from having had a general anaesthetic.
"Their reactions are not predictable. When recovering from anaesthetic, patients are most commonly on a theatre trolley with protective padded sides in case this happens. Very occasionally patients can move their limbs involuntarily over the sides as happened in this case and catch a member of staff."
The incident is one of eight attacks on staff logged at Doncaster Royal Infirmary during the last quarter of 2008.
It is thought to be the only time an unconscious patent has been recorded as attacking a member of staff at the Intake-based hospital.
The hospital says it was recorded as an assault even though there was no blame attached, because there was no other category available to record the incident.
The figures also show one member of staff was attacked at Mexborough's Montagu Hospital, and two attacks were recorded at the Tickhill Road Hospital in Balby.
The Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs all three hospitals, has stressed it has a zero tolerance approach to abuse of its staff and has security cameras in its buildings.
Communications manager Hazel Brand said: "We will come down heavily anyone who abuses our staff. Attacks on our staff are never acceptable."
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