Emergency
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Higher Premiums and Payouts Possible for EPs With Restrictive Scope-of-Practice Laws
Will the EP be held liable for malpractice committed by a nurse practitioner (NP) in the department? It is more likely if the state has instituted restrictive scope-of-practice laws governing NPs, according to the authors of a recent analysis.
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When ED Is Crowded, Hospital Admission Becomes Less Likely
Patients are less likely to be admitted when the ED is crowded, according to the authors of a recent study. However, patients discharged during periods of crowding are not more likely to return to the ED within two weeks of discharge.
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Multiple Allegations Against EPs in Airway Management Cases
Airway management cases involving devastating outcomes are a significant source of liability for EDs. Some common allegations include using wrong-sized equipment and failure to verify tube placement after transport.
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Patients Want a Diagnosis, But a Premature One Can Fuel Lawsuit
Patients do not like leaving the ED without receiving a definite diagnosis. However, this kind of closure is not always possible in the ED, where many people are sent home with a symptom-based diagnosis.
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Measles Case in Waiting Room? Liability Exposure if Diagnosis Missed
Measles outbreaks have alarmed public health officials in many states. Many infected people end up in ED waiting rooms. If providers miss the measles diagnosis, there are potential liability risks for both ED providers and hospitals.
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ED Violence Often Unreported, Ignored by Prosecutors, Dismissed by Judges
Assaulting ED providers is a felony in many states. However, it is rare for anyone to press charges against assailants.
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Hypothermia and Frostbite
All emergency providers should be familiar with hypothermia regardless of the climate in which they practice. Hypothermia can occur in a variety of climates, indoors or outdoors, and in patients of all ages regardless of health status. Frostbite, chilblains, trench foot, and cold urticaria are cold-related injuries that may present to any emergency department during any time of year.
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Blunt Pelvic Trauma
The management of pelvic trauma has evolved significantly in the last 20 years, with advances in devices and procedures. The key to success is having a team of physicians, including specialists in emergency medicine, interventional radiology, and surgery, who can work together to provide each patient the best outcome possible.
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Data Show Progress Has Stalled on Staph Bloodstream Infections
New findings from the CDC show that while hospital infection prevention efforts have successfully reduced the rates of staph bloodstream infections in recent years, this progress has apparently stalled. There is a concern that healthcare providers may be backsliding in their activities and focus regarding infection control.
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Consider Potential for Drug-Drug Interactions When Prescribing New Medication
The results of a new study show that 38% of patients discharged from the ED at a large, academic emergency center experienced at least one drug-drug interaction resulting from a new medication prescribed at discharge. Even though this was a small study, investigators noted that the findings suggest emergency clinicians should familiarize themselves with the most common interactions highlighted and carefully consider the potential for adverse reactions when writing new prescriptions for patients upon discharge from the ED.