Suicidal man at nurses' station

This happened last week at work... About 1500, I walk around the corner into the nurses' station and see all the nurses, the CNO and the asst. admin standing there. I asked what is going on and one of the nurses point to a man sitting in front of the station with a hospital gown and jeans on. She says that a few minutes earlier, he had walked up to the station and told the secretary that he was going to kill himself. He had walked out of the hospital across the street, came in the front doors (pass security) and up to the third floor where we are. So she calls admin people and they were trying to figure out what to do. The CNO is on the phone with the house doc and the asst. admin is talking to the US with his back to the patient. I immediately went to the asst admin and asked him why this man isn't isolated away from us. He gets a "look" and asks me why. I tell him "Are you serious? This guy just walked in and said he's about to kill himself. He could very possibly have a weapon of some sort, he obviously has psych issues and this makes him a potential danger to us, our patients and visitors". He rolls his eyes and told me (very condescendingly) that the situation is under control, that I don't have anything to worry about. At that very moment, the house doc strolls off the elevator, sees the guy and says that the patient needed to be isolated before anything else was done. So he's taken to a vacant room and that's that. But before the asst admin gets on the elevator, he comes back up to the station and tells us all that we never had anything to worry about, blah blah blah. When he walked off, he made eye contact with me and gave me one of those "you stupid idiot looks" (which I returned). I haven't seen this POS since it happened, but I have a feeling he has it in for me now. He's only been here about 6 months, he's kind of youngish and still seems kind of insecure in his roll. I'm not the type to look for trouble, but I speak up for myself and my co-workers when nobody else will. Any advice? Thanks, guys...
"Nothing to worry about"I'd have asked, "is that statement based on your vast experience with psychiatric patients or your vast educational background in psychiatric crisis management?"But I'm a smart-ass...

What an idiot! He is even more foolish for turning his back to the patient. If he keeps up that up he is going to find out the hard way of why you never turn your back on a pysch patient.

Quote from SummitAP"Nothing to worry about"I'd have asked, "is that statement based on your vast experience with psychiatric patients or your vast educational background in psychiatric crisis management?"But I'm a smart-ass...

Quote from ckh23What an idiot! He is even more foolish for turning his back to the patient. If he keeps up that up he is going to find out the hard way of why you never turn your back on a pysch patient.

One word. RUN. Idiots hire other idiots so they don't feel challenged.

Just a big legal quagmire however you wish to read into this. IMHO , the Op has the high road here.

Admin types can't think without a computer in front of them. Psych patients have potential, but for the most part they are looking for someone to help, like we all are. You can say "I'm so sorry you're feeling so bad, come with me and we'll find someone that can help." Escort him down to the ER, or to an empty room (and call EHS) if there's no ER. Give him a towel or Chux for his leaks if they can't be fixed immediately. Offer water, Kleenex and a sympathetic ear. Simple.

...even someone who doesn't know about real psych patients has at least watched TV. Everyone knows that a person, ANY person really can hurt you and sometimes they don't need a weapon to do so. For example... Chuck Norris. He can kill you will a look! No but seriously just because he doesn't have visible weapons doesn't mean he is safe. That administrator is going to have a huge scare one day and he will be sorry that he didn't listen to you. *nods*

Quote from nerdtonurse?One word. RUN. Idiots hire other idiots so they don't feel challenged.

Quote from *Posh*This happened last week at work... About 1500, I walk around the corner into the nurses' station and see all the nurses, the CNO and the asst. admin standing there. I asked what is going on and one of the nurses point to a man sitting in front of the station with a hospital gown and jeans on. She says that a few minutes earlier, he had walked up to the station and told the secretary that he was going to kill himself. He had walked out of the hospital across the street, came in the front doors (pass security) and up to the third floor where we are. So she calls admin people and they were trying to figure out what to do. The CNO is on the phone with the house doc and the asst. admin is talking to the US with his back to the patient. I immediately went to the asst admin and asked him why this man isn't isolated away from us. He gets a "look" and asks me why. I tell him "Are you serious? This guy just walked in and said he's about to kill himself. He could very possibly have a weapon of some sort, he obviously has psych issues and this makes him a potential danger to us, our patients and visitors". He rolls his eyes and told me (very condescendingly) that the situation is under control, that I don't have anything to worry about. At that very moment, the house doc strolls off the elevator, sees the guy and says that the patient needed to be isolated before anything else was done. So he's taken to a vacant room and that's that. But before the asst admin gets on the elevator, he comes back up to the station and tells us all that we never had anything to worry about, blah blah blah. When he walked off, he made eye contact with me and gave me one of those "you stupid idiot looks" (which I returned). I haven't seen this POS since it happened, but I have a feeling he has it in for me now. He's only been here about 6 months, he's kind of youngish and still seems kind of insecure in his roll. I'm not the type to look for trouble, but I speak up for myself and my co-workers when nobody else will. Any advice? Thanks, guys...

Was the suicidal man actually a patient at that facility?

Here in the rural areas of western Indiana, "don't have anything to worry about" is a very popular set of last words before something bad happen (usually some form of boat/atv accident). I would have at least not treated him like a total outsider (especially since he was sitting there right in front of the station). He is need of help and he is asking for it. Hopefully he gets it. I believe there is always going to be that part of us that get nervous/scared about handling someone like that. However, you guys could have provided you know a quiet setting for him and offer to help things to clean up with. Again, I just wouldn't have treated him like a complete outsider. I agree you should completely get away and I agree with the idiots hire idiots post lol.