newnurse925

sorry. just 1 more question: should i have notified the MD? i just told the patient "it's probably not safe for you to leave, otherwise you would have been discharged; instead of being admitted." "it would be best to hang out until the MD sees you in the morning." "they have a specialist on your case, also" i feel like i did keep the patient against his will, because i never got the MD involved and told him he wanted to AMA. thanks for the replies.

i consulted the nurse supervisor, and she said i'd get in deep **** if anything happens to him because he's not in the right state of mind. it's probably not a good idea to let him leave. she's been an ICU and ER charge nurse for over 20 years, so i took her word for the gospel. another experienced nurse on my unit told me "if that was MY patient, i would not let the patient leave. since it's yours, let him AMA." and chuckled. i'm not sure what that's supposed to mean. i did convince him to stay until the MD sees him in the morning. i did not use and physical or chemical restraint.

a couple hours ago, a patient was admitted for; "alcohol withdraw; visual hallucinations" patient has a 1:1 sitter currently experiencing visual AND auditory hallucinations has a psych consult with the psychologist in the AM. social worker consulted for being homeless however, patient is alert and oriented to name, place, DOB... is still experiencing visual AND auditory hallucinations. but wants to AMA. do i let this patient leave? will i get in trouble, knowing the patient was mentally impaired?