Abuse Policy
Patient, Visitor, Physician, Volunteer, and Staff Information
Nipigon District Memorial Hospital is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for our patients, visitors, staff, physicians and volunteers.
NDMH's Abuse Policy defines abusive actions and behaviors. It explains how we can help manage abusive situations, and how we will investigate reports of abuse.
Types of Abuse
Abuse can take different forms:
- Verbal – The use of comments known, or that ought to be known, to be unwelcome, embarrassing, offensive, threatening, or insulting to another person.
- Physical – Any act that results in non accidental injury or pain and may include hitting, kicking, punching or biting. This also includes acts such as forced feeding or improper use of restraints.
- Sexual – Sexual activity with another person without consent, such as unwanted touching, kissing, fondling, grabbing, or forcing of sexual acts.
- Psychological/emotional – Words or behavior intended to control, frighten, or make a person feel worthless. This includes instances of humiliation, intimidation, forced confinement, or threats to hurt a person.
- Financial – Actions that take advantage of another person's finances and may include misuse of power of attorney, stealing of money or property, or cases of trickery or fraud.
- Neglect – Failure to provide the basic needs of a person, either on purpose or due to indifference, and includes actions such as not providing proper food, personal care, or necessary supervision.
- Spiritual – Actions of a person or group who are in a position of authority to control, force, or manipulate another person or persons on the basis of spiritual or religious beliefs.
Patients and their families often experience stress and anxiety while coping with an illness, and may direct their frustration and anger towards care providers or each other. While staff are sensitive to the emotional strain patients and families are under, abusive behavior is unacceptable in any circumstance.
Your Rights
All patients, visitors, staff, physicians and volunteers have the right to work in or visit the Hospital without being abused. This includes verbal, physical, sexual, psychological/ emotional, verbal, neglect, and spiritual forms of abuse.
If you think you have been abused or you've seen someone else being abused, you have the right to make a report and/or participate in an investigation without fear of punishment.
Whether you experience abuse, assist in an investigation, or are the subject of a report of abuse, all investigations will be thorough, fair, and sensitive to the privacy of everyone involved.
Your Responsibilities
NDMH expects all patients, visitors, staff, physicians and volunteers to:
- Treat all people with dignity and respect, and avoid any behavior or conduct that could be thought of as abusive.
- Immediately report instances of abuse to health care providers and/or NDMH leadership.
- Staff, physicians and volunteers who witness abuse are expected to participate in the investigation, which may involve Leadership, physicians, or other staff as required. Other staff may assist to ensure the safety of those involved.
- Abusive behavior is unacceptable, not only on hospital grounds, but anywhere hospital business is taking place, including travel, training, and social functions. NDMH's Abuse Policy will apply in all circumstances.
If you are at a NDMH satellite site, or off Hospital property, call 911 for immediate assistance.
If you witness the abuse of another patient or staff member, tell your health care provider.
