Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Are You Safe?

      The micro manager developed a very sore neck on Friday. Yes, I know I'm a pain in the neck!!! The pain shifted around got less and got worse. 

     Yesterday we went to the walk in clinic. The Micro manager did not follow any of the directions given by the attending Physician. She was going for other medical tests this morning and didn't want to take medication that would interfere with the test. So you guessed it .This morning she had excruciating pain. So we decided to come home after the tests for breakfast and then go to emergency.

    We got to emergency and she was seen in less than half an hour. Many questions were asked. She was asked if she had a recent accident. Medications were prescribed and she was to stay for a few hours to see what the medication would do. I went home. She had a two hour sleep.

    While I was away she was asked, "Are you safe?"  She wasn't sure what they meant. They were wanting to know if there was any domestic abuse happening! She was most surprised by the question. I knew that they were asking this question of people who came to emergency showing some trauma or indication of trauma. I was not surprised . I was asked this same question when I went to emergency a few years ago with an owy.

    It has been found that domestic violence can be discovered by asking this question in emergency clinics. 

     Before I retired from teaching we were asking kids the same question when we saw certain types of injuries or bruises. The question was the same, "Are you safe at home?" We were to report to the councillor and the councillor would check the student and then if there were suspicions the case  was moved to professionals who handle child abuse. The professionals would decide what action was needed if any.

      The Micro manager still thought the question was odd when she came home. I do not find the question odd and I hope it discovers domestic abuse and that actions can be taken to prevent and resolve abuse situations.

     Have you ever been asked this question or have you been the one asking the question?


48 comments:

  1. Yes, I have been asked. I can't remember exactly how it was worded. I don't think safe was the word but the meaning was the same. The first time it caught me off guard. Sadly in this day and age it's probably needed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's always been needed .Domestic violence has always been with us.

      Delete
  2. I have not, but it certainly does make sense.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They probably don't ask males that often.

      Delete
  3. Yes here in the clinic and ER and hospital they always ask. They say the more they ask the more likely someone in a bad situation will say NO they are not safe in their home. I can see them asking one on one but when a couple comes in...who would ever say no ? They have been asking the question about five years here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the other day they asked my wife once I'd gone home.

      Delete
  4. I have carefully asked the question of a couple of students during my teaching career. I can't remember being asked. I used to worry that some health care worker would think we abused our son because he was such a walking calamity when he was little. I used to worry that he was getting x-rayed too many times. And now he's taken up mountain climbing. Arrrgh!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We all seem to have a family member who is accident prone.

      Delete
  5. What a simple but powerful question. No, I have not been asked that, and I have not asked it. But now I would.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My wife's condition was very nonspecific. She had no idea what caused the neck pain so they had a cause for asking the question.

      Delete
  6. I must have led a sheltered life as I wouldn't have had a clue what they were talking about.
    I hope they managed to sort out her neck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They have fun with people like us who don't have a clue.

      Delete
  7. No I have never been asked, but I hardly visit any doctor, but there are public discussions about the subject here too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's in trying to protect some people from domestic violence and get them out of the situation.

      Delete
  8. My three year old was once involved in a small car accident where I hit the brakes and she fell forward onto the gear sift area while we were driving about 15 miles an hour. I took her to an emergency room and while she was not asked anything directly, they were clearly studying both her and my relationship.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And remember that we didn't have car seats and seat belts in those days.

      Delete
  9. Never heard it used. We are in an age group that often does get abused, mostly by caretakers or family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's amazing the number of kids who are abused both physically and sexually.

      Delete
  10. I've never been asked if I was safe but I was drilled by many different personnel at the hospital where I took my daughter after she fell and fractured her wrist when she was a toddler. I was very pleased to discover that they were determined to make sure that children are safe. You just never know what's going on and it's important to protect the vulnerable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a situation that all of us can help.

      Delete
  11. I have not been asked, but have asked on an occasion or so, to a child with bruises and an elderly person. I certainly would ask if I felt the need. I had an elderly person tell me she was being abused in a nursing home once - I did check that out with great caution. Its a good question.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Key word ...caution. You can cause more problems if you're not careful.

      Delete
  12. I think it makes perfect sense and I am glad they ask these questions...

    ReplyDelete
  13. I do hope it uncovers domestic violence. I have not been asked that question, nor have I had to ask it, Red. Hope MM's neck is better by now. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some people will grab at straws to escape a bad situation.

      Delete
  14. I find the question comforting. It's hard for victims to disclose, but faced with a simple question, there are professionals out there to help. I am asked this every time I am in emerg. There are many who face domestic abuse, and it is an excellent standard question.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's one thing in the tool box to help in a situation where so much is covered up.

      Delete
  15. No, but my wife once slipped on our driveway and smashed up her face pretty good. I wondered if the people at the ER thought I'd hit her, but they never asked her if she was safe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not carried out in all areas. Much training has to take place before the program is implemented.

      Delete
  16. yes, i have. and i'm glad they ask it. hoping those who need to answer truthfully can do so and get help.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even if a few people answer so that they can get help it's a big step.

      Delete
  17. No, I've never been asked that. But like the others, I think it's a good thing.We're hearing more and more about abuse lately.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have never been asked this question and hope will not be. I think I 'd be confused of the question if they asked me. I'd think about electric connection or other installations, appliances maybe but not domestic violence. Glad I 've never seen one. Hope the she is better now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like your idea of safety. It makes sense.

      Delete
  19. Never asked. Asked a couple of middle school students. Sad.

    ReplyDelete
  20. When I went in to Emerg last September with my sciatica, I was asked the very same question. Unfortunately they have to ask, as it's such a common problem these days. Hope your Manager gets feeling better soon!
    Tracey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi neighbor. They must be very consistent at this hospital in asking this question.

      Delete
  21. My doc used to ask when I came in for my yearly check ups. I understand why they do it but the first time they asked it caught me off guard. Thanks for stopping by my blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. When I broke my arm, they asked. I was like what? Safe? Cameron said, do you want me to leave? Lol! Yes, I am safe. Trying to explain how I broke my arm was funny. A cow? Really. Look how I'm dressed! And smell! Haha...
    I'm glad they ask that. Domestic abuse is scary and sad. Been there before.
    Hope your micro manager gets to feeling better.
    Cheri

    ReplyDelete
  23. Yup, I've asked and been asked. Thankfully the answer both times was "yes." Is MM feeling better by now?

    ReplyDelete
  24. I don't know that I've ever been asked that...Hope you Micro Manager is all better!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I hope Micro Manager is better. I'm not sure that it would have occurred to me what they were getting at - certainly in first instance.

    ReplyDelete
  26. It’s a very good question, if only it were asked more often. Abuse happens, there’s no getting away from it and the sufferer too often remains silent because they’re scared and have no one to turn to.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have not been asked this question, nor asked it, but I'm glad they do it nowadays!!

    ReplyDelete