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Often, patients express anger over service experienced, but the perceived slight does not equate to malpractice.
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During the initial phone call or meeting, complainants often provide a compelling narrative, but it falls apart after an independent expert reviews the ED chart. False or misleading statements about what happened in the ED undermine the patient’s credibility. Also, the cost of filing a malpractice lawsuit, and the low odds of prevailing, mean long odds for patients looking to become plaintiffs.
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Recent findings suggest ED providers probably do not treat all patients equally. Researchers want to use these data to determine just how much hidden biases might affect care. Meanwhile, they suggest providers self-screen to improve awareness.
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Engaging with the patient can help ED nurses avoid these risky situations. Nurses can notice subtle signs of escalation, treat with medications when appropriate, offer food, perform regular assessments, and facilitate hygiene. It also is important for ED nurses to demonstrate they did everything in their power to transfer the patient to a higher level of care, if that is what the patient needs.
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Team training — on communication skills, monitoring patients, and sharing information while the patient still is in the ED — can ensure the correct tests are ordered and acted on.
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Considering the effects of stress on well-being, first responders are at higher risk of suffering from emotional fallout from their work. The good news is there are some straightforward solutions that could mitigate the harmful effects of stress and reduce their risk of developing depression, PTSD, or other mental health problems.
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The list of long-term health problems affecting patients after recovering from COVID-19 continues growing. One of these lesser-known conditions is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Although treatments for POTS exist, the condition often is missed or misdiagnosed, leading to unnecessary suffering and anxiety for patients. However, given the condition’s recent visibility, frontline providers could gain a new understanding of POTS while also providing patients with a fast, accurate explanation for their symptoms.
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Just remaining mindful that patients are looking for certainty is important for emergency physicians. This does not mean ordering more tests or procedures; instead, take the time to explain any diagnostic uncertainty that may exist even after an ED evaluation.
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The accuracy of Google Translate is inconsistent among languages and should not be relied on by ED providers, according to a recent study.
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Inaccurate artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms could harm patients and result in liability exposure, the authors of a recently published paper argued. AI should be used as a tool, along with physical exam findings, narrative history, review of prior records, and clinical judgment.
