Inmates right to refuse

Specialties Correctional

Published

I work in an emergency room. We constantly get inmates as pts. There are almost more policeman (guarding their inmate) than hospital staff. Sometimes, the inmates will refuse labwork, NG tubes, etc, etc. I was wondering about their right to refuse. If they are guardian of the state - can they refuse? Who is liable if the pt dies while refusing treatment? The county or the hospital?. Can they sign out AMA?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I work in the ER also and ALL patients (even inmates unless there is a signed court order) have the right to refuse any and all treatment.

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They have the right to refuse just like any other patient. We frequently send the inmate in just to have them refuse and then 12 hours later they change their mind and want another trip to the ER.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Oncology/Psych/College Health.

I presume if they refuse, they get sent back sooner.

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I presume if they refuse, they get sent back sooner.

Its a day trip out on the town to most of them. They will sort of refuse - then change their mind....back and forth. Its usually a ploy to stay out of jail. Every once in a while, we get a REAL pt with real complaints. However, the attitude at my hospital, is to not make it enjoyable for them.

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