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though incorrect dosing occurs in about 5% of patients with heart attack who receive a certain blood clot-dissolving therapy, patient-related factors appear to be more responsible for adverse outcomes than the dosing errors, according to a recent study.
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Can we ever "reserve capacity" for special purposes and refuse transfers even though we technically have beds open? We'd like to save an intensive care unit bed for any in-house emergencies, but that might mean refusing to accept a transfer due to "no capacity," and that seems like we're telling a white lie.
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A professional truck driver was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident. EMS personnel placed him on a backboard, supported his neck with a cervical collar, and transported him to the nearest trauma center. While being triaged and evaluated in the ED, the patient's protective neck collar was removed and he was assisted in walking to a wheelchair. On the way to the wheelchair, he collapsed and has been unable to walk since. The patient and his family brought suit against the trauma center and emergency physicians; they were collectively awarded $31.1 million, which included almost $8 million in punitive damages against the hospital.
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Hospital case management departments should take the lead in making sure patients are placed in the right status by establishing a front-end process to make sure that problems in observation status vs. admission status dont occur.
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When Ocala (FL) Regional Medical Center announced a new screening initiative that would involve counseling nonurgent patients to seek alternative care, a funny thing happened: Local competitors Monroe Regional and Timber Ridge became involved when they heard about our initiative, because they felt they would be inundated by patients who were not having their treatment here, says Susan Atkin, RN, emergency department (ED) director.
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No one is claiming its a cure-all for emergency department (ED) overcrowding, but a number of facilities have turned to postponing elective surgeries that require admissions as an important part of a multifaceted plan to ease the burden on their harried ED staff. And when they do, many give the ED manager a key role in the decision-making process.
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While your facility, no doubt, has a Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliance policy, which, among other things, covers electronic communications, it might be a good idea to craft one that is specific to your ED, experts say.
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Hospitals tread a fine line when it comes to placing patients in observation status. If patients dont meet criteria for observation, your claim probably will be denied.
