Re: Death after two-hour ER wait ruled homicide
I think the key to the whole situation is the indication on the coroners report that there was a significant deviation from the standard of care which led to the indicaiton that the death was a homicide. One can only speculate what that deviation was. Was it a facility, local or national standard of care. We can only speculate until we know all the facts in this case.
I mentioned EKG in one of my prior posts as I recognized it as one of the standards that I am required to meet in my practice, again I did this solely on speculation as I dont know the facts.
I will also comment that the complaint of chest pain is probably one of the most difficult of all complaints to triage. It does get easier with experence however. Fortunately I for one have never missed an MI patient while doing triage, but that doesn't mean I couldn't. Its hairly out there sometimes, on occasion one has to go with their gut feelings, which have served me well.
When in doubt i am asking the charge nurse to get me a spot to put someone in. As i would rather have someone back there that doesnt need to be than sitting in the lobby.
Rj
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