[Jennifer, RN]

Do any of your ERs turn non-emergent pts away, like toothaches, lice, STDs, etc? Rumor has it that this week, we in triage are going to start handing out cards to the local free clinics to pts with minor complaints and telling them that this is an emergency room and their complaint is not emergent and they will not be seen here, to make an appt at the local health clinic. I can't see this working.

[Ariesbsn]

Me either. It will suck to be the triage person.

[Sweetooth EMT-P, RN]

Umm If I am not mistaken it is illegal to turn down patients and I beleive it is an EMTALA violation especially without an assessment from a physician, as all patients have the right to that assessment before being refered to another facility or clinic.

Sweetooth

[psalm]

Hope triage nurses don't have to have their surname on their nametags!!

[neneRN]

Can you really do this? I thought every patient presenting had to have a medical screening....there are plans in my area to open several free clinics, but we were told we would only refer them there when discharging, i.e., "next time you have a problem like this, there is such and such free clinic that offers these services..."

[kstec]

Whether it be illegal or unethical, it's a great idea. Alot of people have the idea that an ER is a clinic and need to be educated what it is for. It especially seems that the ones who don't have to pay for their healthcare abuse it. Just think how nice it would be if these people had to make an appointment with their primary doctor like the rest of us do and pay a co-pay like most of us have to.

[Jolie]

As I understand, it is a violation of EMTALA to turn a patient away without a minimum of a medical assessment, if the patient insists. But I don't believe that there is anything wrong with informing the patient, based on his/her complaint, that the ER is not an appropriate place for treatment, and offering the option of other sources of care. Then it becomes the patient's decision to stay (and wait, and face a substantial bill) or go.

Regardless of the legalities, I believe that administration should staff your ER 24/7 for the first few weeks of this policy in order to address the concerns, complaints, and behaviors of patients who may be uncooperative. It should NOT fall on the nurses, docs, or techs to have to address unsatisfied patients and explain the financial ramifications of their choices in seeking care. That said, I'm sure administration will be nowhere near the ER!

[Melina]

Whether it be illegal or unethical, it's a great idea.

I know you couldn't possibly have meant to this to sound the way it does

[CritterLover]

Originally Posted by Melina

I know you couldn't possibly have meant to this to sound the way it does

Oh, I understand exactly what she is saying.

I agree -- it is a good idea to come up with some way to get the non-emergent stuff out of the ER

However, like other posters have said, it is an EMTALA violation to turn a patient that presents to the ER for treatment away without a medical screening exam. EMTALA seems to be very clear that triage is NOT a medical screening exam.

(Though, with my understanding, some of that is facility-dependent on which personnel the facility desginates as qualified to do the screeing exam. For example, some facilities designate RNs -- mostly L/D, as qualfied to r/o labor on a presenting patient.)

There is a facility in Florida that is doing the MSE, and if the exam doesn't meet "emergency" criteria, they are telling them they can stay and be treated for an up-front fee, or they get a list of local clinics to go to.

So I guess I'm wondering if your facility is putting mid-levels in triagel. That is the only way I can think of that they will be able to get away with it.

[TazziRN]

Originally Posted by Melina

I know you couldn't possibly have meant to this to sound the way it does

I agree with Critter. I love the idea but it will never happen because of EMTALA. More and more ERs are being used as clinics because they think they will be seen faster in the ER.

Mind you, it would have to follow strict guidelines: toothaches, colds, abrasions, no small children, etc.