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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.
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New Checklist Offers Roadmap for Improved Diagnostic Performance
Researchers created 10 high-priority practices they maintain are key to promoting diagnostic excellence.
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Call Patients to Reinforce Discharge Instructions, Stress Need for Follow-Up Care
Follow-up calls to patients after they have been discharged may be far down on the priority list for busy EDs. However new data suggest such calls can ensure patients understand their discharge instructions and prevent repeat visits.
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Remain Vigilant for Signs of Monkeypox
Emergency clinicians should include the possibility of monkeypox in any patient presenting with early symptoms suggestive of the illness and certainly for those with a new rash and epidemiological risk factors.
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EPs Motivated to Learn What Happened to Patients
Emergency physicians must follow up with patients on any test results pending that were ordered in the ED, especially if said test reveals something troubling, like a lung nodule via X-ray.
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Legalities if Law Enforcement Responds to ED Violence
The presence of law enforcement can agitate some patients, or cause others to withhold information over fears the information will be disclosed to police. It creates a situation where state or federal privacy laws can be violated. Emergency clinicians should consult hospital security, risk management, legal counsel, or leadership for guidance on policies and applicable laws.
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Recurring Fact Patterns in Triage-Related Med/Mal Claims
Some malpractice lawsuits stem from what happens when the patient arrived at the ED — the triage nurse misses an emergency medical condition. If the triage process failed to identify a high-acuity patient requiring expedited care, then a plaintiff could allege the triage nurse breached the standard of care.