ED Legal Letter – September 1, 2013
September 1, 2013
View Issues
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Drugs, Alcohol, and Disposition
There is much myth, controversy, and misunderstanding surrounding the safe and medical legally sound disposition of patients who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. -
Did Frequent ED Patient Sue? Thoroughness of Workup Is Issue
Was a frequent ED patient discharged after complaining of chest pain, and later suffered a myocardial infarction (MI)? In this scenario, the emergency physician (EP) can expect a lawsuit if she sent the patient home without assessing and treating the patient as she would any other patient with the same complaint, says Jonathan T. Brollier, JD, an attorney at Bricker & Eckler in Columbus, OH. -
Chart Discrepancies: Basis for Legal Claims
According to the nursing notes, a 15-year-old boy presented to the ED with headache, neck pain, nausea, and vomiting. -
Crowding Doesn’t Change Legal Standard of Care
Did an emergency department (ED) experience a sudden surge in volume at the same time a particular patient presented, who later filed a malpractice suit? -
Is Patient’s "Non-compliance" Enough to Protect EP Legally?
Chart could shift responsibility for bad outcomes