Went to get some pain relief for a very sore back. Just over did it pain med and muscle relaxer I’m felling better already

Reason for this post when the nurse check vitals and question my activity behind closed door. Have not seen doc yet. Got the usual how, what ,when, where. You drink, smoke, drugs
Then was ask do you feel safe at home are you afraid anything or any body. I kinda half smiled and said no. Then I said first I’ve heard hat question.
Nurse responded you’ll be surprised at what they are told behind close doors. No details and I didn’t ask….…. She did say at least a few times a month or even weekly they get a story that they look into elder abuse child abuse spouse abuse boyfriend girlfriend.
Didn’t say how it was handled. If they ask to check it out or just did it. Good idea to me
Any of you experienced this????

Happens wayyy more than you would think. Also see a bunch of dump offs at the hospital where people will drop their elderly relative off and just leave in which it’s a placement nightmare sometimes

They’re required to ask expectant mothers questions like that before delivery. They made me leave the room a few months ago so they could ask my wife if she felt safe etc.

As licensed healthcare staff we are obligated by the state to report abuse. Mandatory requirement for us to ask the questions, in hospital setting anyway. We are also required to notify appropriate agency if we suspect abuse as well. Since human trafficking has been big headliner we are educated on characteristics and behaviors of trafficked peoples also.

In the context of domestic violence: “Do you feel safe at home?” It can feel like a strange question to be asked when you've come in because you're having chest pain, or because you've cut your finger. But, doctors are supposed to ask – because this visit could be a brief window of opportunity to connect a victim to resources.

If you suspect domestic violence it is required by law that the doctor notify the proper authorities.

Yep. Ask those questions on every admission.

I agree with it way to much goes untold.

Back in the early 2000s I was using a pair of large loppers the wrong way to cut a swamp bush out of an overgrown flower bed. I put one of the handles against my chest and pushed hard a bunch of times. No issue. Got up the next morning, went to work, ran up the stairs and bam, I couldn’t breath. Went to the hospital, they ran a bunch of tests, ruled out heart attack but gave me all kind of meds hours later and prior to figuring out I had a collapsed lung. So there I am all loopy and they start asking me those questions and I said jokingly, my wife tries to beat my ass all the time. OMG the BS that ensued. I spent 9 days in the hospital with that big old tube in my side and when the nurse came in to pull out the hose she says to my wife, I’m pretty sure you want to pull this out right? I about jumped out of the bed and ran cus my wife was still pissed about what she had to go through 9 days prior because of my smart ass. We’ll be married 30yrs in Sept.

I kept laughing at that questioning when I went to the ER with heart issues.


Sadly it can also be very misguided when asked in the wrong situation.

My father fell and I had to call an ambulance while I was at work. They asked him those lines of questioning to an elderly man that had been tangled up in furniture for several hours. He was very addled and confused, the er doc told me he probably had toxins built up in his body due to stress etc…

Anyways he was sent to the Covid unit because of family members exposure etc which was at the very beginning of Covid madness. When I called him on the phone he was whispering about the questions they asked him. He kept saying they suspect you pushed me down. He was very confused by it all. When I talked to his primary doc he explained why was happening and no one suspected anything. It just messed with my dads head which ticked me off a little.

I get it and it is necessary but maybe some for thought should be given as to how or even if that line of questioning is introduced.

Friend of mine went for a check up in Dallas, when sent to lab to give urine sample there was a sign that said put your initials on cup, use black marker if everything is normal, use pink marker if you are a victim of abuse and we won’t let anyone with you back in the room, and someone will be into speak with you. I thought it was a clever way of secretly acknowledging you need help.
My son has been an ER nurse at UAB main for 4 years, currently working on his NP, but Yiu wouldn’t believe the stories of things he seen, particularly with elder abuse, it’s really sad.

If they ask me that at the doc's office, they are going to get an answer they don't like. Heck no I don't feel safe. I have an NIH, a Gov't, a CDC, DOC's and Big Pharma all trying to force me to get injected with a biological agent that is detrimental to my overall health!

I think it a a great thing to do. You never know when someone is asked at just the right time and it saves their life. Me, personally, I've never been asked that.

In hospital right now. They have asked me twice whether I have wanted to hurt myself or others. Both times I told them not today...yet. Probly on the list now.

The suicide ideation questions are very important. You catch people actually contemplating a lot more than you think and are able to take action early rather than it being too late. I’m a huge proponent for mental disease and treatment for the disease.

Sad part is if the victim doesn't file a complaint it usually ends in paperwork only.

My wife has worked in the mental health field for 30 plus years in many different aspects, from counseling to administration. She knows it inside out. She has worked with law enforcement for half that many years and is expanding her roles in that environment. I could tell some stories but won’t.

My post went along with the OP in that it seems strange when asked those questions.
My dad took it as I was in trouble and fabricated some weird long story to provide cover when it wasn’t needed. They knew he had fabricated it but didn’t tell him. He wondered for several days if something would happen and his care taker, me, wouldn’t be allowed to continue to help him. Instead of asking and checking the box there should be a follow up to smooth things out if needed. My wife has worked with geriatric patients, their needs are different, they should know that as well.

All his doctors spoke of how lucid he was for his age and had the mind of someone half his age. Could tell most stats on any college football or baseball team. His fall and entanglement in the furniture really messed with him. Doc said it was because of toxins building up in his body from laying there in an awkward position.