Hi all...been a long time since I've been here. Between school and working in the ER, not much time. I had an experience a couple of weeks ago and just wondered what the ramifications could be with something like this. Right now I am an ER tech, so I know that legally it can't really affect me, but I'd like to know what can happen to the nurses involved. Thanks.
Patient presented in private vehicle stating "I know I am having a heart attack, it hurts so much!" Patient is 46 yo. Brought into ER by stretcher and taken into trauma bay. Nurse comes in and asks a few very vague questions as patient is writhing in pain on the stretcher. Nurse leaves patient without a line started nor hooking up to monitor. Doc comes in (after listening to nurse stating that patient was a "drug seeker") and asks a few questions of fiance who accompanied patient. Doc leaves. Patient is still not on monitor and is without a line.
A trama alert is called and tech is told to move patient to a regular room. Tech is told not to bother hooking patient up to monitor because "he doesn't need it". Patient still complaining of chest pain and extreme headache. Nurse AGAIN told of this and nothing is done. Trauma rolls into ER and patient that was moved codes. Patient is revived, put on monitor and nurse tells doc that she did this and that as soon as patient was brought into the ER (none of which is true and I knew it).
Who is responsible for this nurses actions legally and can I be dragged in on all of it? She was reported to the nurse manager and as far as I know nothing was done. This particular nurse has also overdosed a pediatric diabetic..order read 5mg and she gave 50mg, overdosed another adult patient in the same manner and is busy flirting with the male EMT's. and having an affair with another nurse in the department, and ignoring most of her duties unless she absolutely has no choice but to do them.
I'm very concerned that she is going to kill one of our patients someday. I understand that there is a nursing shortage, but why in heaven's name would they keep someone on staff like that? What are the ramifications for the rest of the staff that may be on staff when she does these "mistakes"?
I have lost two friends from bad judgement calls in the ER. Friend number one, 31 year old male, was told he was having an anxiety attack, he was a frequent flyer, BP would freq. be 240/160 at work. He was a known alcoholic, no insurance, they didn't take him seriously, sent him home, was dead in 2 hours of a massive MI. Friend number 2, severely obese, no insurance, been in several times with c/o not being able to breath, chest pain. Sent her home, she was found dead in the morning by her 10 year old daughter. All complaints better be taken seriously, someones life may depend on it!!!!! By the way, lawsuits pending in both cases as no cardiac testing of any kind was done on either.
Agree with writing everything down while it's still fresh in your mind. Don't leave out any details. That way if you are called to give your side of the story years later, you will have the actual event recorded as you saw it happen.
Doesn't matter if these drug seekers repeatedly come in with vague complaints, the one time you DON"T do the chest pain protocol they will crump on you!
:o 
duckie
365 Posts
I have lost two friends from bad judgement calls in the ER. Friend number one, 31 year old male, was told he was having an anxiety attack, he was a frequent flyer, BP would freq. be 240/160 at work. He was a known alcoholic, no insurance, they didn't take him seriously, sent him home, was dead in 2 hours of a massive MI. Friend number 2, severely obese, no insurance, been in several times with c/o not being able to breath, chest pain. Sent her home, she was found dead in the morning by her 10 year old daughter. All complaints better be taken seriously, someones life may depend on it!!!!! By the way, lawsuits pending in both cases as no cardiac testing of any kind was done on either.