TAXI DISCHARGES

NurseOnAMotorcycle, ASN, RN · May 12, 2015

We assess the pt's ability to care for themselves or have a support system and then plan with social work from there.

We never send a nursing home pt via taxi.

bebbercorn · May 12, 2015

All of my time in a few different hospitals, we generally reserved tax vouchers for the little old lady that lives in her own home and doesn't want to wake her friends at 3 a.m. I wouldn't feel comfortable sending someone that requires assisted living alone in a taxi. Sad.

pugmom79 · May 13, 2015

I ditto what bebbercorn said.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · May 14, 2015

The only patients who go home by taxi are basically the A&O, walky-talky patients.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 15, 2015

We've sent home alert patients that can walk, but there's always the risk that a lol will fall on the sidewalk, and not be found for hours. That's happened somewhere within the last year, the cab driver didn't wait to make sure the patient got inside. I've also sent home people that had friends or family waiting at home for them, I made phone contact and let them know the patient was coming. But not setting eyes on the receiving relative, or not KNOWING the patient made it safely gives me the heebie jeebies. Keeping them in an ER bed is silly though, especially with sick people waiting to get in,

lacusc93-1 · Jun 8, 2015

Kiss of death once everybody knows you give out vouchers. Check in at triage for toe pain and ask for a voucher prior to being seen.

rearviewmirror, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2015

I avoid giving out taxi vouchers unless I think the patient is unsafe to go home on bus. I don't get all this though, we have to provide them safe way back home??? We get dinged if we don't find them shelters for the night, I mean what the hell, next thing you know we will have to find them a car, a house, wash their dogs, it's no wonder this country advocates for entitlement.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 8, 2015

At my ED, we don't give out vouchers unless it's extenuating circumstances; the best part is it is up to social work to handle it.

Uncle Rico · Jun 9, 2015

We do not issue taxi vouchers and i'm thrilled about it. I see young adults in the ED wearing more expensive clothing than I can afford asking for taxi vouchers and meals :no: . The patients are allowed to use their armbands to take the city bus.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jun 12, 2015

Last hospital administration found out we didn't give out taxis to everyone that asked and got pissed. Said they would float the bill. So then EVERYONE that asked for a ride got it. Of course word spread quickly of that. They said it was part of the pt satisfaction part of coming to the ER.

abundantjoy07, RN · Aug 22, 2015

I'm gonna have to play Devils advocate here as my response is going to go against several posts.

I dont care care how people get home. I'm the ER nurse. You're discharged and it essentially means from an ER standpoint that you are fixed. That is where my job ends. I'm not a social services person and I honestly believe that you should have money on you or someone to get you home. If you don't have money on you still get in the cab and pay the cabbie when you get home.

Grown people should be able to take care of themselves.

I swear it's annoying when people ask how They are getting home. Don't know, don't care. You found your way here Im sure you can figure it out.

That issue annoys the living hell out of me.

just to add on...for bedbound/incompetent/or morbidly obese to the point where the patient is non ambulatory that is common sense that transport will be arranged. For everyone else...figure it out!