paul gann act

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2007

I'm not familiar with that act, but in my facility there has to be an order to transfuse blood as medically necessary. Although I'm not sure they have to sign a consent as no consent is given, but in the MD orders they have to write an order. I'm not sure what they do in the ER when it's a matter of life and death. If there isn't documentation that it's medically necessary then you're setting yourself up for trouble.

Trauma Columnist · Aug 4, 2007

Here is some info. It appears to be in CA. Unsure if this is nationwide or not:

http://www.cbbsweb.org/enf/1999_2000/ganndoc.html

TazziRN, RN · Aug 4, 2007

I worked ER in CA for many years. We gave blood in emergencies without consents, with a doctor's order. Most of the time there was someone to get consents from, but in a true emergency like a trauma, the pt is unresponsive and there is no family, we went by "implied consent" unless there was something on the pt's body that indicated "No transufusions".

suzanne4, RN · Aug 4, 2007

In an emergency situation, the consent is signed by the physician that it is a medical emergency and no time to discuss it with the patient.

Same way that for trauma patients, two physicians sign the consent that it is medical emergency and the patient will not survive without having the procedure done or a delay could also kill them.

Paul Gann Act---- think that it is specific to CA. Have not seen it in any other states that I have worked in.

shyone2005 · Aug 4, 2007

thanks everyone...