Calling the police

Specialties Emergency

Published

We have been having some problems as to certain ED cases that need to be reported to the police. It use to be that we would call the police with any ATV and MVC. Now I have been told that we can't report anything except child abuse unless the patient wants us to. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Nursing Education, LTC, and HHC.

Here in Florida we must report any abuse regardless if it is witnessed or only suspisious, all gunshot wounds, all assaults, dog bites, and law enforcement for mvc if it has not alreadt been recorded on the scene. (you would know because the police come in shortly after the victims arrive via EMS)

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Our hospital was calling the police so much for accidents, child abuse, and your lunatics (the ones that snuck a gun in) that we have 2 city cops in the ER for the evening and nights shifts, 4 when the local university's got something going on. Rush Week we have 6 cops.

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OK, I know I'm being slow today...what are ATV and MVC?

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ATV - all-terrain vehicle

MVC - motor vehicle crash

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We have to report all suspected abuse, all assaults, dog/cat bites. We do not report MVC's.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

We also use MVA--motor vehicle accident

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Thanks, I thought all terrain vehicle and motor vehicle crash but figure I was wrong.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Since when do you jave to call the police. Just put free coffee and Donuts out and they just mystically appear

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Now, that was mean.

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I have been blessed out so many times by inebriated patients coming in after an MVA because I called the police - they took it personally. I would explain to them that iI was legally required to report any MVA (among other things, pretty much same as FL, here in GA) but I would never admit to them how secretly pleased I was to do so when they were acting like drunken fools and endangering lives out there on the road.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Originally posted by teeituptom

Since when do you jave to call the police. Just put free coffee and Donuts out and they just mystically appear

I fail to find the humor in that. But then again i've always failed to find the humor in mean stereotypes of career paths.

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