Sentinal Events

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Specializes in Emergency.

We had a dreaded "sentinal event" in our ED. Major hospital in a poor community, multiple boarded pts "holding" in the ED, administration that's oblivious, the usual. Anyway, an older woman presents to triage with vague, but potentially serious symptoms, 4 hours later codes in the waiting room, is rushed back and eventually dies. Our is ED is constantly saturated. Our pts move out slowly and check in faster than you can obtain vitals on them, let alone triage them properly. In this instance, the pts vitals were stable, she was triaged properly, but she had a massive bleed. How can every death be prevented and how can the triage nurse be held responsible? There just is no room.....

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Hugs to you & your coworkers.

The perfect storm of conditions which foster the possibility of a waiting room death are becoming the norm rather than the exception. :stone

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Until the people that have the power to stop this insanity end up with a loved one dying because of short staffing, etc.....nothing will change. But then the people that control this kind of thing make sure that their loved ones go to well-staffed, wealthy facilities....

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Specializes in Emergency.

What really sucks is today, another 7 holds boarding in our ED. Did no one learn anything? This issue is so far reaching, it's definitely out of the hands of the immediate caregivers in the ED. And of course, understandably the pt's family was very upset, "I want names. I want the name of every nurse and Dr. in this ED." As if there were open beds and we were what, doing our nails...no wait urinating, eating? As if. Yeah there are open beds, but I am going to risk my job and license by sitting your ill grandmother back in the waiting room because..... I'm just mean? Hello! We want to get you back and seen, Duh!

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Specializes in ED.

You just summed up why I hate being in triage. So much responsibility with so many things out of your control. There have been nights when I have been 15 deep for 6 hours, people waiting 2 hours to be triaged. Re-evaluation becomes non-existent on nights like these. Sure, I can scan the room quickly when I get a new person to triage, but so much is happening out there that I can't stay on top of. It's dangerous, in my opinion.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

We recently also had a patient in our waiting room end up coding and subsequently dying. The patient had fairly stable vitals at triage, but apparently had esophogeal varices that ruptured, and he bled out. What makes it harder is that he passed out in the bathroom, and of course the triage nurse that night didn't have time to go around looking for patients in the bathrooms. It was just thought that the pt had LWBS. So yes, triage can be a dangerous and stressful position.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, ICU.

Our administration is soo ok with ER holds that they are hiring nurses just to take care of the ER holds in the ER.

At least it helps staffing, i guess.

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Specializes in ED.
Our administration is soo ok with ER holds that they are hiring nurses just to take care of the ER holds in the ER.

At least it helps staffing, i guess.

Our hospital tried something similar to this, but it only lasted a few months. It was nice while it lasted.

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