"Hallway admissions" at overcrowded ED, and professional risks of RNs talking to press

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Saw this article in Becker's this morning. As I was reading it, I was quite surprised to read this quote:

Kate Pugh, RN, a Montefiore ER nurse for five years, told the publication that on the busiest days, she typically treats up to 15 patients in the ER at one time.

"These are sick people," Ms. Pugh said. "Basically you're just running around putting out fires instead of giving quality care. This is not an easy fix. We just don't have space."

City Councilman Ritchie Torres sent a letter to the New York City Department of Investigation in August, urging the agency to "probe Montefiore's practice of placing Medicaid recipients in crowded hallways that neglect patient care," the report states. However, the prompt failed to change patient care techniques at the hospital.

Wonder if Miss Kate Pugh still has a job. Why would anyone besides the hospital spokesperson think it would EVER be a good idea to be quoted in the press, particularly about a shortcoming of the facility for which they work?

'Hallway admissions' abound at overcrowded Montefiore ER, nurses say

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Likely due to feeling they have a duty to do so (sort of a misguided whistle-blowing attempt, if you will) or else out of pure fear and frustration.

Staff nurse should be the last one worried about being fired over this.

A hallway admission often means equipment stacking up along the corridors, Tucker said, a dangerous obstacle course of walkers, IV stands and oxygen tanks.

She takes care of 15 patients at a time and the main issue is the obstacle course?

ETA one more thing:

"Even though other emergency departments in our community are less busy and have available hospital beds, people come to Montefiore because we provide high-quality, compassionate, and comprehensive care," a hospital spokesman said in a statement.

:mask: :clown:

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I know, that last quote was so much BS.

If I were to whistle-blow, I would definitely do it anonymously.

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This reminded me of a post (#16) on a thread titled "Inpatient boarders" over in the ED forum - - the poster reports a situation where not only are there multiple admitted patients boarding in the ED, the facility continues to accept inpatient transfers only for those patients to also be boarded in the ED.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

Yes, I would definitely shun the quieter ER and go to the one where I can lie on a gurney in the hallway and share my nurse with 14 other sick people. For the compassionate quality care.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Yes, I would definitely shun the quieter ER and go to the one where I can lie on a gurney in the hallway and share my nurse with 14 other sick people. For the compassionate quality care.

:roflmao:

Their PR rep needs a raise. That was a magnificent attempt at spin.

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Specializes in ER.

the only times I saw administration worked like their pants were on fire to get ER extra help is when charge decided to call divert. County hospitals did divert all the time... must have some financial negativity if hospital diverts *shrug. Anyway, looks like Ms. Pugh will be out of job anytime now with some bogus reasons that admin makes up.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.
Yes, I would definitely shun the quieter ER and go to the one where I can lie on a gurney in the hallway and share my nurse with 14 other sick people. For the compassionate quality care.

... for "acute constipation" (from the whole article link).

That has to be an excellent place to finally have that long-awaited bowel movement.

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Specializes in ER.
... for "acute constipation" (from the whole article link).

That has to be an excellent place to finally have that long-awaited bowel movement.

Louis Callazuol poses for a photo in his Bronx home on Monday. Callazuol paid $250 a day under his medical plan for a space on a cot in the hallway when he went into Montefiore earlier this month for a case of acute constipation. (Go Nakamura for New York Daily News)

That says it all...

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
That says it all...

Walgreen's has a better deal than that on Fleets.

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Specializes in ER.
Walgreen's has a better deal than that on Fleets.

Warm prune juice works too...

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Saw this article in Becker's this morning. As I was reading it, I was quite surprised to read this quote:

Wonder if Miss Kate Pugh still has a job. Why would anyone besides the hospital spokesperson think it would EVER be a good idea to be quoted in the press, particularly about a shortcoming of the facility for which they work?

'Hallway admissions' abound at overcrowded Montefiore ER, nurses say

Whistle blower laws would clearly protect her. Just being quiet, drinking the management Kool-Aid and taking **** when your administration runs a facility in a way that makes it dangerous is not a way to change it. You know that, right?

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