How would your ER handle these patients?

Published Jul 4, 2006

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You are reading page 2 of How would your ER handle these patients? by luckylucyrn

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.