Will my license be at risk?

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I work at a adult day center, I sent someone to the hospital because he demanded it. It was for itching. I didn't call his emergency contact until 3 hours later. The emergency contact called the center and is upset, wanting to sue, call department of aging.

no dementia but forgetful.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

I do not. Think you violated your nurse practice act, Possibly your facility policy, usually the responsible party should be called, first, except in critical crisis, then as soon as possible, certainly before three hours....

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I do not. Think you violated your nurse practice act, Possibly your facility policy, usually the responsible party should be called, first, except in critical crisis, then as soon as possible, certainly before three hours....

I'm just really worried, my boss is upset because the emergency called cussing on the phone with threats. I'm worried my boss will throw my under the bus with the department of aging and they put restrictions on my license.

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Specializes in ambulant care.

Does yr boss has given binding standards how to act if .... ?

No ? So what ?!? :confused:

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

I think you will be fine. Why would you think your license would be at risk?

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Does yr boss has given binding standards how to act if .... ?

No ? So what ?!?

He siad I should have called immediately.

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I don't think your license is in danger for not calling the contact, but you really should have done so. Did you consult with anyone before you sent this person off to the hospital?

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

No, your license is NOT in danger. If you did not send him and he had an allergic reaction or something life threatening going on, then maybe. But nobody is going to get their license yanked or dinged for not calling the emergency contact. The ER should have done that. Your boss is angry because this was a paying client who likely won't return and will likely share a bad opinion in reviews online. But BON charges? Nope.

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

I agree with NotDoneYet. They can get mad at you for not calling sooner but that's all they have and that is not reportable to the BON. Big deal. Next time you'll call sooner. As far as an inappropriate hospital transfer: if the patient is insisting he is insisting. Not your place to second guess.

You did the right thing. If this is the worst thing anyone gets mad at you for, you'll be luckier than the rest of us.

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I think you will be fine. Why would you think your license would be at risk?

Because I didn't notify the emergency contact right away, I waited 3 hours to do so.

I didn't think it was a big deal but the emergency contact is threatening to sue us and call department of aging (state)

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Sue you for what? What damage occurred?

People threaten to sue ALL. The. Time. Good luck getting a lawyer to take that one- there are literally no damages.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

The Department of Aging cannot put restrictions on your license as they did not issue it.

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