What should an employee do if they feel unsafe due to a patient's behavior?

When an employee feels unsafe due to a patient's behavior, the most appropriate action is to immediately report the situation to their supervisor. This is crucial for several reasons. First, supervisors are trained to handle safety concerns and can assess the situation appropriately. They also have the authority to take necessary actions to ensure the safety of all staff and patients, which may include involving security or other personnel if the situation escalates.

Involving a supervisor ensures that the incident is documented correctly and helps in implementing measures to prevent future occurrences. Safety protocols in healthcare settings often dictate that potential threats should be escalated to supervisory or management levels to ensure a comprehensive response.

Taking direct action to calm a potentially volatile situation without proper training or support can place the employee at further risk and may not effectively resolve the underlying issue. Ignoring the behavior poses significant dangers not only to the staff member but also to other patients and staff members. Documentation, while important, should follow the initial report to a supervisor, who can then take the appropriate actions.