How would your ER handle these patients?

EDValerieRN, ASN, RN · Jul 4, 2006

In Arizona, if a patient is a minor and has a child (or pregnant), then she can sign consent for her child, but not for herself. It makes no sense to me... but that's the way it is. I was told that the state attempted to make a law allowing those with children to sign for themselves, but it didn't pass because pro-life legislators thought it would lead to the pregnant minors having abortions.

I got this information from one of our social workers. I would bet you have either a social worker or chaplain that could answer the question about Tennessee law.

Also, our peds doc will see patients with kids, as long as the complaint isn't OB/GYN related.

Aneroo, LPN · Jul 4, 2006

Depends on the complaint.

If a 16yr old comes in with a certain complaint (ob/gyn), we usually do not require consent. (Because sometimes they would not come to be seen if their parents knew what was going on).

But if it's for a complaint like cold symptoms or something, thing we do require consent.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 4, 2006

In IL, if you are age 12 or over you can receive care for mental illness, substance abuse, pregnancy, birth control and STDs without parental consent. If you are pregnant - you can then sign consent for both yourself and the baby. Once you deliver the baby, if you are under 18, you have to have parental consent for you but YOU can sign for your baby. I agree - doesn't make any sense at all.

TazziRN, RN · Jul 4, 2006

In CA, once a teen has had a child she is considered emancipated. She can sign her own consent forms. When the teen is very young (under 16) I will try to have the teen's mom co-sign just to be safe that SOMEONE is truly signing an informed consent, but it isn't legally necessary.

PedsER-RN, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2006

i am an rn in a busy er in tennesee. we are divided into 3 sections based on patient acuity and we also have a "pediatric er" which is just a five room section of the er that is decorated for pediatrics and has a pediatrician staffed 24/7. i have a question about how you deal with patients who are 17 and under but are pregnant or have had children. when we get a child who is pregnant they are usually sent to the adult section of the er and treated by the adult physicians. however, patients who have had children are sometimes seen in the peds er and sometimes not. my question is about consent. we had 2 patients tonight back to back with various complaints who were both minors that had children. one was treated on the adult side of the er and one was treated in peds. the one treated on the adult side was able to sign her own consent forms, but the pediatric patient required parental consent before she could be seen. i felt torn because the patient who was in peds said that she could sign her own consent form, but we had to call her mother anyway because technically she didn't have any papers saying she was emancipated (like the other patient did). however, she didn't live with her parent and was accompanied by her sister (who may have been 18 or 19).
how do your ers handle pediatric patiens who are pregnant or have had children? anyone know what is required legally in your state (or even better, in tennessee?). both my pediatrician and i are very interested to see what other ers do.

if the patient is pregnant without kids, someone else (not a minor) has to sign consent. if she's there seeking treatment for her child, she signs the consent.

[color=#483d8b]it also depends on the complaint. if it's a true emergency and the pt is unable/not allowed to sign consent and someone who can sign the consent can't be located, then 2 docs sign for the patient.

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[color=#483d8b]edit: i did a little research and found that children who are pregnant may consent to tx if it's r/t the pregnancy, or if she's seeking help for drug/etoh abuse, psych, or communicable disease such as an std.

kat911 · Jul 5, 2006

In Texas if the patient has a child she can consent for the child. If she still lives at home or is supported by someone she can't give consent for herself. If she is supporting herself outside of the home they are considered emancipated and can consent. Any question about consent in these cases gets kicked to our Legal people on call.

ItsyBitsySpider, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2006

In La. if the patient has a child then she is considered an emancipated minor and can sign consent for herself. If the patient is under 17 and pregnant, she is seen in the "adult" ER.

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Jul 5, 2006

in nj a pregnant teen is emancipated and can sign their own consents. they can also sign their own consents if they have children.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 6, 2006

Back to the original poster - it pays to know your laws.

nerrollus · Jul 13, 2006

Looks like it's dependant on the state.

Here in Oklahoma, if they're pregnant or have a baby they're treated as an adult when it comes to pre-hospital care. I would assume it's the same for hospital care.

Morning-glory · Jul 13, 2006

In Ontario (Canada) the age of consent for care is 14. Without limitations. Of course the family should be involved, but it isn't necessary for care to be provided.

They can't drink till they are 19, or drive till they are 16, or vote till they are 18. Go figure! They are treated in a children's hospital till they turn 18, however. If they are are having a baby, they will be sent to an adult hospital for that, but isolated from the general population to avoid being gawked at.