we are having an increase in patients who are wanting to leave with IV locks in place. what is the nurses responsiblity? if they use it for illegal use or develop a raging infection, are we responsible? we have had some very belligerent patients that have done so, and we would like to know where we stand. most all of the patients are known or suspected to be IV drug users and we would like to know how this is handled in other places. we are a small state that is seeing an increase in drug use.
If they want to leave with a hep lock in place. NO WAY.. the only patients that leave with saline locks in place are those that will be coming back for IV antibiotics. And never will the ER doc have a patient who is drug seeking leave with a lock. If the leave and we do not remove it we calll the patients home and the patient is told to return immediately. if they do not the police are sent to their home to retrieve them. :stone
I've been seen sprinting out to the waiting area and even outside after pt's who've left with medlocks in place. That's why I love the fact that our security is such a presence where I now work...there are often just as many security guards as nurses...I am now in an inner city ED but have just accepted a position in a rural ED that is closer to home, and I anticipate the security situation will be different...but I think the pt population is as well!
Anyway, I just love it when pts act like "oh I forgot that was in there"...did they also forget that they haven't been seen by the doc yet?
I recently had a pregnant, heroin addicted pt leaving AMA. She had her coat on and thought she was out the door until I pointed out I had to remove the IV. Thank God she let me do it without a fight.
ERNurse752, RN
1,323 Posts
We also notify the police, who attempt to find that person and bring them back in for us to remove it.