Emergency Department Management & Law
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Healthcare Industry Embraces Firearm Safety Law
Various groups thank Congress, White House for swift action on bipartisan legislation.
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Heart Attack Treatment Timing Improves, But Inequities Remain
Women remain less likely than men to receive timely angiography after myocardial infarction.
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ED Visit Is Teachable Moment on Stroke Care
Researchers provided an ED-based educational intervention to 100 Black patients at an urban facility, including video, brochure, and verbal counseling. After, participants were much more likely to demonstrate confidence in the ability to recognize stroke symptoms in themselves or others and were more likely to feel confident about calling 911 in the case of stroke warning signs.
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Updated Abdominal Pain Guidelines Close Knowledge Gap
Without clear guidelines, patients could undergo unnecessary testing (or not receive tests they need), which could lead to misdiagnoses — or worse.
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Admissibility of ED Recordings Depends on Multiple Factors
Even if the patient recorded the entire discharge instructions, relevant discussions might have happened throughout the visit. The defense can challenge the admissibility based on that argument, but the ruling could go either way.
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Emergency Providers Uneasy About Recording Visits
Clinicians might need more information, such as specifics on who would record the discharge instructions, whether it would be recorded on the patient’s personal smartphone, and what safeguards could be required to ensure patient privacy. Combined with possible involvement of the hospital’s legal department, this might make providers more comfortable with the idea.
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Many Charge Nurses Receive Little, if Any, Training
Charge nurses are responsible for patient flow, moving them from the waiting room to appropriate disposition. To be effective, these nurses must understand the clinical conditions of the patients in the waiting room. This informs good decision-making on which patients to bring in, in collaboration with the triage nurse, and which nurses to assign those patients.
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Misconceptions About Homelessness Put Patients, EDs at Risk
Engage these patients in care plans the same as anyone else. Ensure the patient understands the treatment plan, and can carry it out if discharged.
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Legally Protective Charting Sticks to the Facts
Charts containing emotional statements, accusations, and speculations might be compelling reading, but they are legally problematic.
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Documentation Mistakes Lead to Significant Malpractice Awards
Ensure charts are generated honestly, and check to make sure key care decisions are carefully documented regarding consent.