National Nurses United

Violence_FNL with art 12/9/10 11:38 PM Page 15 attorneys from two major counties spoke about prosecution of violence against nurses. Though many attendees knew violence at work was a serious problem, even they were surprised to learn the vast extent of the violence: bites, punches, kicks, knives being thrown, guns being pulled, faked seizures, out-of-control patients, pulled hair, insufficient security. Everyone had a similar story. Eakin said that some of the main lessons nurses took away from the conference was that, first, being attacked at work is not part of the RN job description. No other profession would tolerate such behavior at work. It's management's responsibility to ensure that violent acts do not happen or to respond quickly and appropriately if they do. Second, nurses who are assaulted need to understand that they are victims of a crime. Before the conference, many nurses and healthcare professionals were led to believe that being attacked at Cynthia Barraca Palomata, RN died Oct. 28 from injuries she sustained when an inmate at the California jail where she worked allegedly faked a seizure and hit her on the head with a lamp when she tried to help him. Palomata was 55. Born Nov. 28 in Nabas, Aklan in the Philippines, Palomata immigrated to the United States in 1983 after nursing school and worked at a variety of Bay Area hospitals, including San Francisco General Hospital and Children's Hospital of Oakland, for more than 20 years before she started at the Martinez Detention Facility in 2005. Her relatives and coworker friends remember Palomata as a caring, humble, gentle person who NOVEMBER 2010 work was "just part of the job" or that "the patient didn't know any better." There was a general misbelief that as caregivers, they had no right to stand up for their own safety. PASNAP is forming a workplace violence task force that will work toward crafting legislation and educating RNs on the topic. Meanwhile, Eakin reports that Temple University Hospital has not only changed security companies for the emergency department, but beefed up the number of guards from three to five. "Nobody should ever accept violence and assaults at the workplace," said Eakin. "It doesn't matter whether the patient is on drugs, psychotic, or out of control. Management should have methods and a plan in place. Let's prevent violence in the first place." Emily Randle contributed to this report. understood that the important things in life were love of family and to be content with what you had. "She was a very sweet, loving, happy person," said her younger sister, Cecille Schutzmann-Barraca. "For me, I will miss her companionship, especially when she spends time with just me and our mom – just us three girls talking and laughing." Greg Montes, an RN who often worked alongside Palomata on their busy 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. shifts, described her as an excellent, empathetic nurse whom her coworkers greatly admired. He remembers she was always willing to lend an extra hand if she had the time, and that she had a quiet strength about her. W W W. N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G "I looked up to her," said Montes. "Cynthia was very calm. You know, people come upset into the jail. But Cynthia will not react to it or let it affect her doing her job. She was able to deflect their anger and understand that they were angry not at her, but their situation. Usually by the time she was done with their medical screening, they'd be a lot calmer because they knew she wasn't trying to do anything to them but help them." A registered nurse through and through, Palomata believed that her patients deserved quality healthcare just like anyone else, and never hesitated to advocate for them in her reserved, behind-thescenes manner. In turn, the inmates deeply respected her. Montes said that many inmates always took the time to greet "Nurse Cynthia" and her sister said that Palomata had mentioned that she was some of the inmates' favorite nurse. Palomata was so well liked by her patients that Montes said, after her death, the inmates in one wing of the jail presented the nursing staff with a pencil drawing one of them had done in her honor. The sketch depicted the river and tree of life and they had all signed it. Palomata would have appreciated the artwork. Besides nursing, she also liked to draw, mostly flowers and nature scenes. She also played the piano and the guitar, and gardened, sometimes bringing her orchids into work. She enjoyed going out, shopping, spending time with her family, and practicing her faith, which her family said sustained her during hard times. Palomata is survived by her husband, Gedelfo; her adult son, Earl; her mother, Perla Barraca; her siblings; and other family members. A trust account has been set up for Palomata's family in her name: Cynthia B. Palomata Trust Fund, Redwood Credit Union, San Rafael Branch, Routing #321177586, Account #356859. —Lucia Hwang N AT I O N A L N U R S E 15

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